"John 12:37-13:17
There are times in our lives when things go well. There are times when things go badly. But there is one thing we can always celebrate: Jesus died and rose again for us. Jesus said, ‘For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it’ (12:47). He said, ‘I have come … so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness’ (v.46).
The context of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet is set just before the Passover feast (13:1). There would have been great excitement in the air as hundreds of thousands came to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. This time of celebration foreshadowed the passion of Jesus, which we now celebrate at Easter.
When he had finished washing their feet, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ (v.12). What was it all about? What were they to understand? We can see four pictures from the passage:
Love
The act of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet demonstrated the full extent of his love (13:1). This is a very striking contrast to what the world thinks of when people use the word ‘love’. It is far more than a feeling or an emotion: it is a decision to treat people the way that Jesus would treat them (v. 14–15).
Service
The roads of Palestine were un-surfaced and un-cleaned. In dry weather they would have been inches deep in dust. In wet weather they would have been liquid mud.
In a wealthy household, on arrival there would be a bowl at the door. The second lowest slave of the household would untie the sandals. The lowest slave would wash the feet.
Whilst the others are reclining, Jesus gets up, takes off his sleeveless tunic and strips down to a loin cloth. Like a slave he starts washing their feet.
Jesus shows us that if we love people, we will be willing to serve them and that those who serve should always be treated with the greatest respect.
Humility
Jesus uniquely combined absolute love (v.1) and absolute power: ‘The Father has put all things under his power’ (v.3a). In love he chose to act in humility and serve his disciples.
Those who seek their own glory (like Judas, v.2) are reduced to nothing. As William Temple put it, ‘When a person stands on their dignity, they usually succeed in squashing it flat.’ Those who exalt themselves are humbled. Those who humble themselves God will exalt.
Forgiveness
The washing and cleansing he is speaking about is not just washing from dirt, but cleansing from sin. Foot-washing is a picture of what Jesus is about to do on the cross for them (v.7). Through Jesus’ death for us we are totally forgiven. Why then does Jesus teach us to pray regularly for forgiveness?
I find the most helpful analogy and picture is the one given here. When Jesus moved to wash Peter’s feet, Peter said, ‘ “No, you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” ’ (v.8). Peter replied, in effect, ‘Well, in that case, wash my whole body.’ Jesus said, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean’ (v.10).
This is a picture of forgiveness. When you put your faith in Jesus you are made totally clean and you are forgiven – everything is dealt with. You do not need to repeat this one-off act of repentance and faith that leads to total forgiveness. It is the equivalent of having a bath, which is enacted in the sacrament of baptism.
However, as we go through the world we do things that tarnish our friendship with God. Your relationship is always secure but your friendship is sullied with the dirt that you pick up on your feet. Each day pray, ‘Lord, forgive me, cleanse me from the dirt.’ You don’t need to have a bath again, Jesus has done that for you, but a measure of cleansing may be necessary every day.
Each week when we gather on the day of the resurrection (Sunday), and every year at Easter, we remember and celebrate these great events of the death and resurrection of Jesus. Furthermore, every time we receive communion we are celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus for us.
Lord, help us to follow Jesus’ example, not just in words but also in actions. Thank you that washing the disciples’ feet prefigured the crucifixion and our redemption. Thank you that you have given us so much to celebrate."
1. Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross and rising again. Thank You.
2. Thank You for loving me even if I don't deserve it. Thank You for not forsaking me.
3. Thank You for daily little lessons that You bring. May I continue to grow from them.
