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By Peter Biggs
1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7 Jesus 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."
9 "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10 Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. 13 "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 I 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.
Introduction
They had congregated... and as was customary, they would have freshened up before the meal.
The necessity to wash the feet, for comfort and cleanliness, resulted from the dusty roads, and the need to walk everywhere. This common job was always performed by the lowliest slave.
There was a long pause... ... who was going to do the feet?
This scene had left an indelible impression on the disciples, and on John, who described this as Jesus "showing the full extent of his love." He here meticulously recounts the scene action by action...
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Later Peter was likely remembering the scene as he tells his readers, "Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another." 1 Peter 5:5
God and toes...
Think about it...
• God almighty through whom all things were created,
• Jesus, who took upon himself the sins of the whole world
...being careful to remove the dirt between your toes!
Perhaps Jesus was tempted to feel discouraged
"this is my last night ...the guys are totally concerned about themselves... three years of discipleship and they won't even do the washing up"
Many parents know how this feels. You shop, you cook you clean and ALL you ask is that they load the dishwasher! Washing and drying 12 peoples feet would have taken quite a while... (precious time on his last night with them all)
Can you image the mumbled silence as he continued through the group before (at last) resuming his place at the table?
Finally he spoke...
John 13:13 "You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet."
Application:
The heart of this message however is that Jesus gave us a model... with special application for leaders.
Christians are foundationally clean, but we pick up dirt and grime in life. These are not noble things, many times not outrageous sins, just wearying 'grime'. Sometimes we need to serve others in humble ways. Babysitting, fixing up broken stuff, cutting grass...lifting off the burden of the single parent... these are 'feet issues'. Doing things for people who may little appreciate you.
17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
March 11/2010
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