Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

It was just before the Passover Festival, and Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God. Armed with this knowledge of His divine identity and mission, Jesus did something that astonished everyone present.

He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. This was the preparation of a servant, not a rabbi or master. After pouring water into a basin, He began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. In that culture, roads were dusty and people wore open sandals. Foot washing was a necessary courtesy when entering a home, but it was work done by the lowest servant—never by the host and certainly never by the master or teacher.

The disciples must have sat in stunned silence as Jesus moved from one to another, kneeling before each one, washing and drying their feet. This was the Lord of Glory, the One who had taught them, performed miracles, whom they called Master and Teacher, taking the lowest place of service. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, the fisherman couldn't contain himself. 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' The question held shock and protest. Peter couldn't reconcile Jesus' identity with the servant's role He was taking.

Jesus replied, 'You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.' He was teaching a lesson they couldn't fully grasp in the moment but would need for their future ministry. Peter protested more strongly: 'No, you shall never wash my feet!' In his mind, this was inappropriate, even wrong. A servant doesn't wash the master's feet; it should be the other way around. But Jesus answered with words that went beyond physical washing: 'Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.'

Suddenly Peter understood that something more than foot hygiene was at stake. Characteristically impulsive, he swung to the opposite extreme: 'Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!' He wanted complete washing, complete connection with Jesus. But Jesus explained, 'Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean.' He was teaching about two kinds of cleansing—the complete washing of salvation and the ongoing cleansing from daily contamination that believers need.

Jesus added a sobering comment: 'And you are clean, though not every one of you.' He knew who was going to betray Him, yet He washed even Judas's feet. This demonstrated the extent of His love and service—He served even the one who would betray Him. When Jesus had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. Then He asked them, 'Do you understand what I have done for you?'

He answered His own question: 'You call me "Teacher" and "Lord," and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.'

Jesus was establishing a new paradigm for leadership and greatness in His kingdom. In the world, leaders lord their authority over others and great ones exercise power. In God's kingdom, leaders serve and the greatest is the one who humbles himself the most. Jesus, who had all authority and power, chose the towel over the throne. He demonstrated that no task is beneath those who follow Him, and that serving others—especially in humble, thankless ways—is the path to true greatness. This lesson would be essential for the disciples who would lead the early church, and it remains essential for all who follow Christ today.