“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15 NLT).
On the night of the last supper, Jesus got up from the table, laid aside His robe, took a towel and tied it around His waist, then He poured water in a basin and began to wash His disciples feet, drying them with the towel. Peter told Jesus that He would never allow Him to wash his feet. But Jesus replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with Me.” So Peter replied that in that case he would like Jesus to wash his hands and head too.
Jesus washed His disciples feet, not only because they were dirty and needed cleansing. But also because He was teaching them an important lesson, namely that of servant-leadership. For as Jesus taught them at another time: “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and the men of high position exercise power over them. It must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant (Matt. 20:25-26).
Jesus, the Son of God and Savior of the world, stooped down and washed His disciples dirty feet. How much more should we as His disciples serve one another. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Serve one another humbly in love” (Gal. 5:13).
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are amazed and thankful that You sent Your Son as a servant to wash our feet and as a sacrifice to die in our place. Strengthen us by Your Spirit to serve others as You have shown us. In Jesus’ name, amen.