Before Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples, he took on the menial task of washing the feet of his disciples. As we consider what Jesus was teaching to his followers, we must keep in mind that this was done in the context of the Passover meal as he prepared to become the sacrificial lamb for the sins of all the world. The disciples would look back and remember that he took the bread and broke it and told them that it represented his broken body. They would remember that he took the cup of wine and told them that it represented his shed blood for the remission of their sins. And they would also remember that before the meal began, Jesus washed their feet as an example for them.

He humbled himself and took on the form of a servant. Later, the disciples would remember this. They would learn humility, and they would learn how to serve others. We live in a very selfish society. Perhaps we can also learn something from Jesus’ example given almost 2000 years ago.

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper, laid aside his garments, and girded himself with a towel. Then he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded.

Jesus was performing the task that usually a slave would perform. It was a humble act. As Gower explains, "When a guest arriving for the meal had been greeted, a slave would remove the guest’s sandals in preparation for washing his feet and so that the sandals would not bring in dirt that had been picked up along the way. Then the feet were washed by a servant, water being poured over them, which were then rubbed with hands and dried with a towel."

Christ was willing to perform this humble act on the disciples. He was the Son of God and the Creator of the universe, and yet here he is washing the feet of his disciples. What is there that we are too proud to do? What activity is there that is beneath us? Jesus was willing to humble himself. Are we willing to do the same?

Also notice that Christ took the towel and wiped their feet. It’s one thing to pour water on someone’s dirty feet. But if that’s all the Lord wanted us to do, maybe we could handle that. But Jesus also wiped the dirty feet. He got right down there where all the grime and dust from the dirt roads had caked on the feet. Now this couldn’t be too pleasant. Sometimes the Lord might ask us to do something that isn’t too pleasant. When he does, remember that he was willing to wipe the dirt off the disciples’ feet.

Peter was well aware of how humiliating this act was which Jesus was performing. He felt unworthy that his Lord and Master would perform such a lowly duty. It was he that should be washing Jesus’ feet. But notice that he doesn’t volunteer to do this. Do we see anywhere that Peter insists that Jesus give him the towel and water? He could have stepped right up as soon as Jesus started washing the first disciple’s feet, but he kept silent. I get the impression that Peter felt that this duty was beneath both him and Jesus. That’s why he refused Jesus’ washing.

I think we get in the same wrong thinking patterns at times. We feel that there are certain jobs that the pastor shouldn’t have to do, or that perhaps the elders shouldn’t have to do either. We tell ourselves that we are too sensitive, we were raised differently than everyone else, that we have never learned how to relate in that area. But notice Jesus was willing to take on the lowest role. Are we as willing? I have seen in churches throughout Merced that there are always lots of volunteers to take on the "spotlight" jobs in the church – the singers up front, or the ones who lead different portions of the service. But there are very few volunteers willing to do the jobs that no one sees – the clean-up jobs or the Children’s Church workers. The high-profile, honorable positions always attract many volunteers. But the lowly tasks with no recognition go wanting. I know one church that had three different groups of singers and musicians alternating to lead the music on different Sundays. But no one was available to help with the music in the children’s programs.

Christ was willing to take on the lowest position. Are we as humble? Or do we have an elevated opinion of our importance?

Here is what the Apostle Paul had to say about himself

• I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9
• I am the very least of all the saints. Ephesians 3:8
• I am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15

Jesus must have been very stern with Peter because we see him immediately changing his tune. As Garvie points out, "Peter as usual rushes from one extreme to another...." One thing you can say about Peter is he was always enthusiastic.

But Jesus indicates by his reply to Peter that he is teaching more here than just humility. You see Christ was about to pay the price for Peter’s and your and my sins. That is the only cleansing we need. We don’t need anything extra. All we need is what Jesus offers us. He offered to cleanse Peter’s feet – that’s all he needed. When he cleanses us from sin, that’s all we need. We don’t need to go through additional rituals or training to become clean. We are already completely cleansed by Christ’s sacrifice. Nothing more is needed.

But notice that Jesus also mentions the one who will betray him. Here was someone who Jesus was willing to make clean – he no doubt washed the feet of Judas. But Judas wanted to have no part of Christ’s cleansing. Jesus is offering to cleanse and heal all of mankind from their sin, and yet there are those that refuse this cleansing. How sad that people reject the Savior. Christ paid the price to cleanse the whole world, but they are not all clean, just as Judas was not clean.

Notice that Jesus does three things here. He washes the disciples’ feet, then he puts his formal garments back on, and finally he resumes his place at the head of the table. How interesting. He has gone from servant to Lord by just changing his clothes. We should be as willing to change as quickly. One moment we may be a servant with our grubbies on performing some lowly duty. But then we simply change our clothes and we are ready to assume our role as minister or worship leader. There should be no difference in our mind. Whether we are cleaning the toilet or serving communion, our attitude should be one of serving others in all things.

Jesus asks the disciples, Do you know what I have done to you? He is asking us today, Do you know what I have done for you? Do we really understand what he has given us – deliverance, cleansing, joy, healing? Christ has broken the barrier of sin which separated man from God. He has come to set you free, to deliver you from bondage, to break the chains that weigh so heavy on you, to let your spirit soar, to give you joy, peace, and comfort.

Christ was willing to humble himself. Yet he is our Lord and our teacher. He is Lord of our life. We have committed all things to him. And everyday he is teaching us his ways. He is instructing us from his word and he is leading us in his paths of righteousness. We are willing to follow him in prayer, we are willing to follow him in reading scriptures, we are willing to follow him to receive the blessings of his Spirit.

But are we willing to follow him in his humility? What humble task is God asking you to do? He who is our Lord and Master was willing to humble himself. Are we willing to do likewise? Whose feet do you think the Lord wants you to wash? What dirty task is there that he may be asking you to do? What is there that he wants you to stoop down to do? Christ was willing to not only wash the disciples feet but to die for their sins. Are we as willing to give ourselves to others, to care for them, to minister to them, and to help them? Let us be Christ’s hands extended. Let us be willing to take on the unlovely tasks of reaching others for God.

Today in the Word August 1993

It was John Riskin who said, "I believe the first test of a truly great man is his humility. I do not mean by humility, doubt of his own power, or hesitation in speaking his opinion. But really great men have a ... feeling that the greatness is not in them but through them; that they could not do or be anything else than God made them." Andrew Murray said, "The humble man feels no jealousy or envy. He can praise God when others are preferred and blessed before him. He can bear to hear others praised while he is forgotten because ... he has received the spirit of Jesus, who pleased not Himself, and who sought not His own honor. Therefore, in putting on the Lord Jesus Christ he has put on the heart of compassion, kindness, meekness, longsuffering, and humility."

This is why Jesus washed the feet of his followers. He did it as an example, an object lesson. It certainly would have more meaning to those raised in the culture, but we can understand how lowly a task Christ was willing to do. Are we as willing to take on the lowly tasks, the unimportant jobs in God’s kingdom? Are we willing to serve the Lord no matter what he asks us to do? Or does our pride prevent us from doing what we know God really wants us to do?

Smith comments, "The beginning of the meal is integrally related to Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet, an act of humble service that reverses ordinary practice and expectations. ... The reversal of roles that Jesus has just demonstrated should be reflected in how the disciples treat each other. ...Jesus’ death is an expression of his limitless, self-giving love, and he calls upon his disciples to share that same love among themselves."

We are not greater than Jesus. We must be willing to take the low path. We must be willing to humble ourselves. If everyone in the church followed Christ’s example and always put everyone else first, we would never have any problems in any church. We have no rights except the right to help others. We have no position except stooping down to lend a hand. We have no title except that of servant.

MacLeod comments, "Jesus then explains the meaning of the act. The disciples call Him Teacher and Lord; He has performed the action of a slave, thus expressing His complete humiliation. ... He enjoins upon them a like self-abasing humility and He goes on to reveal the nature of true authority. The slave is not greater than his master, nor the commissioned servant greater than him that sent him. Let them find their true happiness in following His example."

Jesus tells us that we are sent. God has called us to be ministers. He has called us to send us forth to help others, to tell them the message of the gospel, and to be a servant. We don’t become a Christian to just warm a pew. When we become a Christian, we are sent – sent to minister to others.

I believe that Jesus is giving us an example of what it means to be a minister. It is the same as to be a servant. We are all to minister to others. We must care about people and have a desire to help them grow in their faith. Everything we do in church ministry must be with that goal in mind – how can we best help others, how can we get them involved, how can we encourage them, and how can we help them to experience more of God’s love! We must learn to put people before programs, we must put their concerns before our own.

I believe in these verses Jesus shows us what kind of heart should be in a minister—a heart to serve others, and to put other’s needs above our own. This is what we all need to be striving to do.

Footnotes:

This study on John 13:3-17 © 1997 by David Humpal. All rights reserved.
All scriptures unless otherwise noted are from the Revised Standard Version © 1971, A. J. Holman Company

Gower: The New Manners and Customs of Bible Times pg. 245 © 1987, Moody Press

Garvie: The Abingdon Bible Commentary pg. 1083 © 1929, Doubleday and Company

Riskin and Murray: Today in the Word, August 1993

Smith: The Harper’s Bible Commentary pg. 1066 © 1988, Harper and Row Publishers

MacLeod: New Bible Commentary pg. 889-890, 1954 edition, William B. Eerdman’s Publishing Company