Foot Washing

“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.” John 13:14

Jesus and his disciples had walked the dusty roads and were gathered together for what would become their last time to break bread together before the crucifixion. They were celebrating the Jewish Passover. This was a private gathering and there was no servant present to wash the feet of the dinner guests. 

Since it was customary to sit reclined at a low table, clean feet was more of a necessity than a luxury. None of the disciples had stepped up to the task. So Jesus got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

Taking on the role of a servant, Jesus’ actions and attitude were in direct contrast to that of the disciples, who had recently been arguing among themselves as to which of them was the greatest (Luke 22:24). But Jesus always leads by example. “Since I, your Lord and Teacher,” he says, “have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.”

Jesus was not teaching his disciples about how to begin foot a washing ceremony. He was teaching them about servanthood and humility. The disciples were speechless, except, of course, for Peter, who protested when it came his turn. Peter was the one who had boldly declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And now God was about to wash his feet, the greatest act of humility. “You will never ever wash my feet!” Peter exclaimed.

“You don’t understand now what I am doing,” Jesus told Peter, “but someday you will.” Peter needed to learn the lesson that you and I need to learn. Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Matthew 23:12). In God’s economy, those who desire to be first are last. True leaders are those who serve others.