READING: 2 Chronicles 17-18, John 13:1-20
“He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him.”
John 13:5
It’s a picture that’s hard to imagine – Jesus, the Son of God, taking a towel around His waist, washing His disciples’ feet, and then drying them with His towel. Only menial servants did this task in the first-century, not the Son of God . . . .
Even the disciples knew that His washing their feet made little sense. Peter, in fact, said, “You will never wash my feet—ever!” (John 13:8). It seemed so surprising to them that their Lord would be doing the washing.
But, so much of what Jesus does is surprising to us. We are prideful and unloving, yet He loves us. We deserve death, but He chose to die in our place. We run hard from Him, but He chases us down. He became one of us as He modeled humility and service. He lowered Himself to us so we might be His children.
And, in the picture of John 13, He took the position of a servant to wash the dirty, dusty feet of His disciples. Though the disciples did not understand it at the time, washing their feet was a simple picture of the spiritual cleansing Jesus would make possible through His death. Thus, those who do not receive His cleansing have no part in His kingdom, as Jesus said, ““If I don’t wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8).
Still, I understand why Peter felt odd having Jesus wash his feet. You see, I know myself. I know my sin. I know enough about myself to realize that I should be kneeling before Jesus – not the other way around. I cannot imagine why He would ever lower Himself to wash my feet, much less die in my place.
It’s all grace, I guess.
ACTION STEPS:
- Meditate today on the humility Christ showed in coming to us.
- Serve someone today.
PRAYER: “Jesus, thank You for lowering Yourself to make me clean.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Chronicles 19-20, John 13:21-38