Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem coincided with the Passover. It would also be the last Passover that He would share with His disciples before His crucifixion. Over the next five chapters, John recounts Jesus’ final teachings to His disciples during what would become known as the Last Supper. Jesus explains, for the last time, who He is and what He is called to do. He also offers hope to His disciples by assuring them of His Resurrection and the promise of His presence through the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ parting words to His disciples contain both instruction for how they should live as His followers, as well as encouragement.
But first, Jesus did something unexpected – he washed His disciples’ feet. In ancient Judea, people walked on dusty roads with only sandals as protection. Naturally, a person’s feet would have been caked with dirt and grime by the end of the day. It was a customary act of hospitality for a host to have the feet of his guests washed, usually by the servants of the house. However, the upper room that Jesus and His disciples met in for the Passover meal was a rented space and there was no designated host nor were there servants. Verse 2 gives a glimpse into what would have been an awkward an unhygienic situation. The meal was underway before everyone’s feet were washed. Considering that Jesus and the disciples would have either sat cross-legged or reclined on cushions while they ate, the smell of everyone’s bare and unclean feet would have been noticeable and the sight of them intolerable. It was clear that none of the disciples wanted to volunteer and wash each other’s feet. It was the work of servants, not of men who are the disciples of the Messiah! Their pride was so great that they would rather tolerate each other’s dirty feet than stoop down to clean them.
On the one hand, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet to illustrate the principle of servant leadership. This must have shocked and moved the disciples greatly. No Rabbi would dare humble himself to the point of washing his disciples’ feet. Yet through this act, Jesus demonstrated that status and ego are irrelevant in His Kingdom. Believers are called to not seek glory for themselves, but to do the will of the Father. And Jesus expresses the will of the Father in the new commandment He gives to His disciples in verses 34-35, “…love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Love and humility must replace ego and pride as we seek to conform to the example of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.
However, there is also a deeper meaning behind Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. It was symbolic of what He would do for them – and for all of us – through His death and resurrection. Pride blinds us to our sin. But Jesus as the Son of God came down to Earth to live among us and gave His life for us so that we may be cleansed from our sin – the ultimate act of humility and sacrificial love. Peter’s exchange with Jesus in verses 6-11 must be understood in the context of understanding man’s sinful nature and salvation. We cannot cleanse ourselves from sin, and nothing of our own efforts can make us appear righteous before God. Rather, we must humbly accept our need for a Saviour. Salvation is based not on what we can do to prove our righteousness before God, but on what Jesus has done for us through His blood that He shed for us on the Cross. Regrettably, Judas failed to acknowledge his own need for a Saviour, and his pride and pursuit of wealth and glory would have devastating consequences.
Read the passage prayerfully a few times over and then answer the questions: John 13
Questions:
- What lessons did Jesus intend to teach the disciples by washing their feet? (v. 1-17; 31-34, cf. Philippians 2:1-11, Ephesians 1:7)
- Reflect on Judas’ relationship with Jesus. What do think led him to eventually betray Jesus? (v. 18-30, cf. John 12:4-8, Matthew 26:14-16)
- What do you think Jesus meant when He said to Peter, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.” (v. 36-38)
Application:
- What lessons on the dangers of pride can you identify in this passage?
- What are some practical ways that you can apply Jesus’ command in v. 34-35 to love one another?
Conclusion & Heart Prayer:
Lord, what are You saying to me? And what are You calling me to do about it?
