“After that He (Jesus) poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.” John 13:5
It is a remarkable scene when we see Jesus with His disciples, gathering for the last supper, knowing full well that He would be soon departing out of this world, and yet, taking the time to lay aside His garments, take up a towel, gird Himself, pouring water into a basin and beginning to wash the disciples’ feet. Again and again in the gospels we see the Lord Jesus demonstrate true humility and lowliness in His service to the Father, as it applied to the lowliest of men. Here, having already declaring that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the world, even the King of the Jews, he lays aside any vestige of greatness and nobility, in order to gird Himself as a servant. Nothing that Jesus did was without purpose, or by accident. He did always those things which pleased the Father, were according to the will of God, and were accomplished by the Spirit of God. There are three things that stand out about this scene that must be underlined and grasped.
The first is that Scripture declares, “…Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the death.” (Jn.13:1) The prelude to the demonstration of His humility that night at the last supper was an attitude of heart that was constantly true of Him in His attitude toward the disciples. He loved them, never ceasing to do so, and this regardless of the impending cross, and separation from them. The love of God would dominate His attitude and actions at this time, breaching every barrier having to do with the littleness, weakness, and helplessness of men.
The second thing that we discover is that the Lord Jesus is the perfect Teacher, and that He never misses an opportunity to teach the disciples the ways of the Father, and what a life pleasing to God truly means. So, He actually lowers Himself in the eyes of the disciples lower than they are. He kneels before them, not to worship, but to serve in love. However, His intention becomes very clear, for He knew them all so very well. He anticipated Peter’s reaction to this humble gesture of washing their feet, especially addressing Peter’s words: “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” (13:8) Jesus answers: “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with Me.” (v.8) The first lesson here is that God alone cleanses from sin, and He must do so if one is to be accepted before God. Peter then responds: “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.” (v.9) To which the Lord answers: “He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.” (v.10) In the eyes of God, Peter had been washed, justified by faith. However, if he would walk with, and follow Christ, his feet must be washed. That which is in contact with this world, and the sin which arises as a result, must be cleansed away, if there is to be communion with God. So, Christ must cleanse thoroughly for salvation, and justification before God, in order to belong to Him. But the believer must desire, and will to receive, the cleansing from individual sin, if one is to know the power of Christ’s indwelling life and blessing.
Lastly, the purpose of Christ’s lowliness as a servant is revealed by His words: “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” (v. 14,15) The lowliness of Christ, here revealed, is the esteeming of His brethren to be more highly esteemed than oneself, forgiving, forgetting, and washing away sins.
Dear Father, Grant us Thy humility. In Jesus’ name, Amen.