John 13:1-17
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Would you wash another's feet?...The Jewish people showed a hospitality when they washed another's feet or gave them water and basin to wash their feet...
Jesus washing the feet of His Disciples shows us the LOVE He has for His Disciples...Yet, when Jesus tells His Disciples that He set the washing of their feet as an example that they too should do as He had just did for them...Very truly He tells us that no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him...Now that His Disciples know these things, they would be blessed if they would do them...Jesus shows His humbleness and His serving of others as He does this...
This act in my mind, would not be forgotten by His Disciples...A Divine Teacher and our LORD washing the feet of His students...When Jesus finished washing their feet He put on His clothes and returned to His place...And then He asked them, "Do you understand what I have done for you?"..."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...I tell you the truth, 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."...
When we think about this and really reflect on it, how often would wash your neighbor's and someone else's feet?...But this is what Jesus did and taught...
Jesus shows His LOVE for His Disciples' when He washes their feet...Jesus shows His humility in washing His Disciples feet...Jesus gives us an example of what it is to love your neighbor by washing their feet...The Disciples were being taught to be servants, as He was a Servant...Jesus was not proud and was teaching His Disciples and us not to be proud, because washing another's feet is an act like a servant...This feet washing act shows everyone that we are servants of others, and that we should be willing to take a position of lesser rather than greater with our neighbors...And that we should be honored to do so, because our Master, LORD, and Teacher has done this very act...