Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. John 13:5
I have had a pedicure once in my whole life and, if I have anything to say about it, it would be my last. Somehow, even though I am paying them to do it…presenting my feet to someone to wash is incredibly uncomfortable. The disciples (Peter specifically) felt similarly, when Jesus washed their feet.
During Jesus time here on earth it was the custom that when people came into the house, the lowest servant of the house would wash the feet of those who entered.
In a day when people run to get pedicures on a regular basis and we have inserts for foot odor and lotions specifically for moisturizing the feet, we might be inclined to gloss over the act that Jesus performed in the washing of the disciples feet, referenced in our main verse.
If we think about how people traveled during this time (they didn’t hope in the car or even on their horse and begin their journey) we might appreciate the humility He showed, in washing the feet of the disciples.
People primarily walked and they didn’t wear hiking boots or athletic shoes, they (if they wore anything) wore sandals. Those who did have horses, donkeys or camels for transportation, rode their animals on the same road that people walked on. The animals didn’t have a restroom to go to, so they would go to the bathroom in the street where people walked. Combine this with the fact that some streets had ditches dug along the sides of the street where people would dump their chamber pots. If they didn’t dump them into the ditch, they would dump them in a dung heap in an alley or behind a building, which would run into the ditch when it rained. And, of course, the rain would cause the ditch to flow out onto the road.
We should also consider the hygiene in those days. People couldn’t just hop in the shower to clean their dirty feet, when they got home, hence the foot washing servant.
So, from a hygiene perspective Jesus was washing some pretty dirty feet.
Now, from the disciples perspective, this was their Messiah who was asking to wash their feet. So, imagine how difficult that must have been. Peter reacted the way that I feel I would have, I would have initially said absolutely NOT, “You shall never wash my feet.”. I would have felt as though I should wash His feet not Him washing mine. But, when Jesus says “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me (Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me. John 13:8) I would have behaved like Peter again, and said “then wash my head and my hands too“ (Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” John 13:9).
But Jesus wasn’t washing their feet because they were dirty and couldn’t clean them themselves, He washed them for a couple of other reasons.
It’s wasn’t about cleanliness, it was about obedience and submission. If He, Jesus, was humble and obedient to His Father, for our sake, (And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross Philippians 2:8) the disciples were being asked to be humble and obedient to Him…and so are we.
It was also about forgiveness, Jesus explains to Peter that if a person has bathed themselves, they do not have to get out of the shower or tub and wash their feet separately or second time. (Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”). And so it is with our salvation, we have been forgiven and do not have to keep asking for forgiveness for every sin we have ever committed. God already forgave those. When we repent it should be for those sins that are most recent and/or those that we have not yet repented of.
This was also an example to the disciples (and us) regarding their service to others. He says that the way in which He (Jesus) has humbled Himself, as Lord and Teacher, and washed their feet, so too should they serve others in this way (If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. John 13:14-16). We should see ourselves as the lowest servant, being willing, (as our Savior was) to take on the least self glorifying tasks in order that our Father in Heaven might be glorified.
Our Savior, hours before He was to begin His trek to betrayal, mocking, beating, crucifixion and death, humbled Himself to washing the feet of His disciples. He did this, not just to be an example to them, but to be an example to us. He was preparing the disciples to live without Him and preparing us to live for Him.
I pray that we would learn from our Saviors example and humble ourselves before Him, model our lives after Him and have a servant’s heart for Him. I pray that we would be willing to serve others in a manner akin to washing dirty feet. I pray that we exhibit His humility, His heart and even His forgiveness and do everything for the glory of the Lord. What more did He need to suffer (on our behalf) to deserve our devotion, honor and glory?
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior I pray that you would humble yourself before Him, repent of your sins and begin a life of being forgiven by Him and one that serves, honors and glorifies Him. Please go to our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/) and pray the prayer that is outlined there. I promise you that He desires to forgive and reconcile you to Himself.
Luv Ya,
