John 13:1-15 CSB
Before the Passover Festival, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. [2] Now when it was time for supper, the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot's son, to betray him. [3] Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. [4] So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. [5] Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him. [6] He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" [7] Jesus answered him, "What I'm doing you don't realize now, but afterward you will understand." [8] "You will never wash my feet," Peter said. Jesus replied, "If I don't wash you, you have no part with me." [9] Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." [10] "One who has bathed," Jesus told him, "doesn't need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you." [11] For he knew who would betray him. This is why he said, "Not all of you are clean." [12] When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, "Do you know what I have done for you? [13] You call me Teacher and Lord-and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. [14] So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. [15] For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.
Servant Leader
Sandals were the common form of footwear during Jesus’ ministry. You could not catch a bus, drive a car, or even ride a bike, but there might be a donkey or two. Feet got beaten and dirty by the long treks and the business of the day. It was common, and a sign of a good host, to have a household servant clean the feet of visitors when they entered the house after a long day outside in the heat and dusty wind.
Jesus loved his followers to the end. There were some important lessons to teach to those who would follow Him. The lesson of the foot washing would be recorded for us through the Disciples and the early church of believers.
Jesus was with the twelve, but one of them was twisted towards evil. His love for the Lord was fake; his desire was for his own selfish needs. No one knows the foothold that Satan had on Judas, but some believe that Judas was trying to manipulate his position as a disciple to make money and also to bring in Jesus’ earthly kingdom on Judas’ timeline. If attacked by the religious leaders due to Judas’ betrayal, Jesus would be forced to set up His kingdom. Judas would then have a seat of power, being one of the disciples. This is speculation, but we do know that Judas’ heart was turned.
Jesus clearly understood that Judas had no honor or respect for his Master. He knew that Judas was filled with bitter poison, trying to find a way to betray him, but Jesus still treated Judas with love, washing his feet along with those of the other disciples.
This is the divine, unique love of our Savior. Even though Jesus knows what is about to happen, he does not bring punishment prematurely. Our loving Father holds out His hand to those who turn away and rebel. The rebellion is from those who chose their evil, selfish ways over Him. Punishment occurs when it is time—when the perverse folly against the Father’s will is fully and firmly planted without turning away.
Jesus had been planting a message in the Disciples’ hearts and in ours. He told the disciples who would be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven earlier in His ministry (see Luke chapter 22). He taught them then that the one who governs will be the one who serves. This lesson is so important that it is done in such a way that it is burned into the disciples’ consciousness. Jesus laid aside His garments as He laid aside His glory—being made as a man—and served His disciples as a servant, washing their feet.
Peter resisted. Peter knew that the Lord was above them and that this act was beneath Him. Jesus responded profoundly: “One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean.”
We are clean when we come to the Lord, when we accept Him as our Savior and Lord. His Holy Spirit sets up His home in our hearts. But as with our feet walking long dusty roads, sin and our selfish needs can make us dirty. We come to our Lord confessing our sins, having our feet washed again by what Jesus did on Calvary.
Reflection Questions
- Jesus washed the feet of Judas, knowing exactly what was in his heart. Is there someone in your life who has “betrayed” or hurt you whom God is calling you to serve anyway?
- If you have already been “bathed” (saved), what specific “dust” from your daily walk do you need to bring to Jesus in confession today?
- Jesus tells us to do “just as I have done for you.” What does “washing someone’s feet” look like in your modern life—at home, at work, or in your community?
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for the washing of my soul. Thank You, Jesus, for laying aside Your glory to take the towel and basin for my sake. I confess that while I am Yours, my feet often get dirty from the roads I walk and the selfish turns I take. Wash me again today. Give me the heart of a servant so that I might love others “to the end,” just as You have loved me. Help me to lead by serving and to find my greatness in Your humility.
Amen.
