Washing Feet: An Act of Love and Servanthood

John 13

​Aware that his greatest conflict was upon him, including His death on a cross, Jesus, who is 100% man and 100% God, nevertheless showed selfless love in servanthood to the very end, even though Judas, one of His inner circle, had already decided to betray him.

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 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.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” John 13:1–9 (ESV)

Over and over, we see Jesus taking the humble role of a servant, washing the dirty feet of those who should have been washing His. Why? Because He came to seek and save those who are lost and to serve.

Because of what Jesus knew, He did what He did: He washed the disciples’ feet—an amazing, humble act of service for the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus knew where He came from and where He was going. He knew that the Father had given Him all things. If you have all things in your hand, you will have no problem picking up a towel. Jesus taught them a lesson in fellowship and in keeping themselves clean before the Lord.

Jesus said His disciples were already “bathed” and only needed to have their feet washed. The picture is of getting one’s feet dirty while returning from a public bath, thus needing to wash them again at home. Likewise, a sinner who repents is forever clean, though on occasion we may become defiled by sin and require cleansing.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:9-10 (ESV)

To this servanthood mind-set, the Lord calls each one of us. How are you doing?

“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 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. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” John 13:12–17 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans asks, “How does Jesus’s foot-washing command apply in our modern context? We are to serve people in the family of God—especially by helping them when things get dirty. Our service is most needed in the messiness of life where people are hurting and suffering.”

“ I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” John 13:18–20 (ESV)

When we go into the world in the name of Jesus and proclaim his gospel and his teachings, we go as his and the Father’s authorized representatives. True happiness comes from those who follow Jesus, obey His Word, and serve in humble service. Jesus gave them an example in this passage that we must follow today. However, soon after this lesson, the disciples began to argue over who was the greatest.

“A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. 28 “You are those who have stayed with me in my trials, 29 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Luke 22:24–30 (ESV)

The disciples would attain high kingdom privilege—ruling with Christ and enjoying fellowship with Him—but not as a result of exalting themselves. Instead, such blessings would come as a result of serving God and others.

“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. 23 One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table at Jesus’ side, 24 so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, “Lord, who is it?” 26 Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. 27 Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, “Buy what we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.” John 13:21–30 (ESV)

I am fascinated that Jesus did not reveal Judas’s secret of turning Jesus over to the Romans; in fact, He treated Him just like the others and they detected nothing amiss. What love that Jesus should not only protect the man who betrayed Him, but even wash his feet! Jesus with the basin and the towel is the perfect example of humility; Judas with the bread is a perfect example of hypocrisy and treachery.

To offer food was a sign of friendship; therefore, Jesus was extending a final offer of grace and mercy to the one who was about to betray him. Judas took the bread, but he rejected the more important offer. Satan only then entered Judas because he had invited him by rejecting Jesus and intending to betray him.

“When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. 33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:31–35 (ESV)

The distinguishing mark of true disciples is their love for one another, and it is the kind of love that the world can see. He commands us to love, and He gives us the power to obey.

“Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 1 John 2:7–11 (ESV)

“hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:5 (ESV)

Biblical love is the decision to compassionately, responsibly, and righteously pursue the well-being of another person. Love is a decision to seek another’s best, regardless of your feelings.
How are you serving others? How would you have responded to Judas if you knew what Jesus knew? What is the motivation behind your service? How are you loving those in your circle of influence? Is pride a stumbling block to your service and your love for others?
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Now that the wheels were in motion for Jesus’ betrayal and death, He spoke again of His departure and gave a parting exhortation to His disciples: They were to love each other as He had loved them, in order to help others be saved. Know today that the stakes are high when it comes to the motive of your service.

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