November 19 – Wash One Another’s Feet

Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean." So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you." - John 13:1-15 

I gave you an example. Jesus whole life was an example…but here He was being a servant. Just think how dirty the disciples’ feet may have been. They wore sandals and the roads were dusty, not paved streets. Grimy feet. Jesus knelt before each one of them washing their crusty dusty feet and drying them with the towel he had wrapped around Himself. Having your respected teacher and Lord wash your feet was a humbling experience. Do you think Jesus visited with them while He washed their feet? “So how’s your day going…Matthew? How’s that ingrown toenail, Bartholomew?” With the possibility of humiliation you can see why Peter didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet. Jesus explained that to be part of Him—to be part of His group—His extended family…one must allow themselves to be washed. To be washed by His blood in forgiveness—to be buried with Him, as in baptism. But those teachings were yet to come. 

Now Jesus knew that one of His disciples was going to betray Him...and He knew just who it was. But it was necessary for this betrayal to happen for Him to make His way to the cross, to provide for the sacrifice of the sins of mankind. Part of His Father’s plan, that He must humble Himself obediently to be this sacrifice. One man to die for all.

Jesus said we should be servants to others. What are you doing today to be a servant? It is easiest to do things for ourselves…then for our family…and friends. That is a good place to start. Then we can reach out and help others in our neighborhood, community, and then into all the world. Sound familiar? Jesus commanded us to make disciples, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20.  It is easy to find ways to serve others at this holiday time of the year when there are lots of needs and baskets to fill. Consider local needs and opportunities to give. Adopt a family for Thanksgiving or Christmas through a local service agency. Provide a gift at a Giving Tree. Donate food to a local food pantry. Volunteer at community food banks, crises center, or at building projects (Habitat for Humanity). How can you be a servant to others? 

Dear Jesus—help us to be like You—to have a servant heart and attitude.

© 2012 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).