John 13:5 – 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.
On the night that Jesus was going to be betrayed and was just finishing His meal at The Last Supper, he told his disciples He was going to wash their feet. Of course this was unexpected as these men had been with Jesus for three years and He was their Lord. Peter even stated that Jesus should not have to wash his feet.
Jesus however was explaining to them something that was two-fold.
First, you need to have your sins washed of Me or you can’t be a part of Me.
John 13:7-8 – 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.”
Since Jesus had not yet died, the whole being washed by the blood idea was foreign to them. Jesus knew in the future that it would make sense to them as he stated in verse 7.
Second, Jesus was teaching us how to be a humble servant.
John 13:14-17 – 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.
If our King can wash feet, we can wash feet.
How does that pertain in today’s world? Here’s a thought and question for you.
Two men are participating in two different jobs.
The first man works his tail off and becomes a big company executive. Even though he worked hard some other people had to be sacrificed along the way. He acquires wealth. Has multiple homes or a mansion. Has the ability to travel anywhere in the world and can buy anything he wants to buy. Many people in the world would state this is quite a success story.
The second man wanting to serve the Lord feels a calling from God to be a missionary. He goes over where he sleeps in a hot muggy hut. The food is challenging but he feels blessed to have food since people in nearby villages don’t have hardly any. He lives to share the gospel to others so they may be able to pass it on to others. Also should they die they have a chance to be in Heaven with the Lord. The bugs and other creatures are a little more out of the norm than he’s used to and the medical facilities are almost non-existent.
Who is living more like the King who washes our feet? Who is dying to self in this example?
2 Corinthians 5:17 – 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Which of the two men do you look up to? The one who sacrifices comfort and tries to pass on God’s love to others, or the one who serves himself?
This scripture I think describes the situation for both men.
Matthew 6:19-21 – 19“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I believe this scripture will be in many of my posts, as I feel in this generation, we need to hear it and be reminded of it on a regular basis.
Jesus washed his disciple’s feet, as an example of how we are to treat others. John 13:17- 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.