It was the night before the Passover, and Jesus knew His hour had come. In a few hours He would be arrested. What did He do with that precious time? He got up from supper, took off His outer robe, wrapped a towel around His waist and began to wash His disciples’ dusty feet. This was the job of the lowest servant. No one in the room had offered to do it. In this quiet act, Jesus gave us a picture of His love, His cleansing and His call to humble service.
Secure Enough to Serve
John says Jesus loved His own unto the end. He knew the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came from God and was going to God. Knowing all this, He rose, took a towel and washed their feet (John 13:1-5). Jesus did not serve because He felt small. He served because He knew exactly who He was. People who are insecure often fight for position. Jesus was secure in the Father’s love, so He could kneel. Paul says Christ, though equal with God, took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:5-7). Jesus said He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). When you know you are loved by God, you no longer need titles to feel important. You are free to serve.
What humble task at home or at church will you do this week without being asked and without telling anyone?
Let Him Wash You
When Jesus came to Peter, Peter refused. Thou shalt never wash my feet, he said. Jesus answered, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. So Peter swung to the other extreme and asked Him to wash his hands and head too. Jesus explained that one who has bathed only needs his feet washed (John 13:6-10). This points to a deep truth. At salvation we are washed clean once for all. But walking through a dusty world, we still need daily cleansing. John writes that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin, and if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive (1 John 1:7-9). Hebrews urges us to draw near to God with a true heart, our hearts sprinkled and our bodies washed (Hebrews 10:22). Pride says I do not need it. Humility lets Jesus wash.
What will you confess honestly to the Lord in prayer tonight, letting Him wash away the dust of this week?
Do as I Have Done
After washing their feet, Jesus sat down and asked, Know ye what I have done to you? You call me Master and Lord, and you are right. If I, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. He said He had given them an example. Then He added a promise: if ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them (John 13:12-17). Remember that Jesus washed the feet of Judas too. His service reached even the one who would betray Him. Paul tells us to use our freedom to serve one another by love (Galatians 5:13). Peter, who was there that night, later wrote that we should all be clothed with humility (1 Peter 5:5). Washing feet today may mean cleaning up, giving a ride or caring for someone hard to love.
Who is a hard person for you to serve, and what specific act of kindness will you show them this week?
Conclusion
With a towel and a basin, Jesus showed the shape of His whole mission. The Lord of glory knelt to serve, and the next day He would go even lower, to the cross, to wash away our sins. He served from security, He cleanses those who humbly receive, and He calls us to follow His example. The towel is not a sign of weakness in God’s kingdom. It is a mark of true greatness. Happy are we when we not only know this, but do it.
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