Do you have a certain task that you have to do every so often, one that you really dislike doing? For whatever reason, you really don’t like doing it, and if possible, you might try to leave the task for someone else to do. For me, the task I really dislike is changing and cleaning out the cat litter box. I do love our two cats, along with our tiny little poodle, but I don’t enjoy cleaning out the cat’s box! Other people might have different tasks that they really dislike. In our Scripture for today, we read about a task that needed to be done, but everyone thought it was beneath their dignity, and refused. Let’s see what happened.
Israel had a warm and dry climate. The people in the days of the Bible would wear sandals instead of standard shoes. After being outdoors and doing a lot of walking, one’s feet would get dusty and dirty. When coming inside from the outdoors, washing of one’s feet was necessary. Because this was a humiliating task, only the lowliest and menial of servants would perform that duty. It was beneath the dignity of even the “regular” servants to do, so the lowest ones were let to perform that for the family and guests.
On the night before Jesus would be crucified, He and His disciples had gathered in an upper room to celebrate the Passover meal. This was a borrowed room, and there were no servants present. After a long and warm day, after a stressful week, everyone wanted to relax and enjoy the Passover meal. However there wasn’t a servant present to do the dirty task of washing the feet, and none of the disciples volunteered for the task. They all thought that was beneath them, especially when the twelve were always arguing among themselves as to who was the greatest. Their pride kept them from humbling themselves among the group.
Naturally, Jesus observed all of this. As the master, the leader, the teacher of this group, as the Messiah, the Son of God, it would have been His right to pick one and tell them to perform the task. However, Jesus did not do that. Instead, He took a large bowl, a pitcher of cool water, and a towel, and got down on His knees, and performed the task that only lowly servants did (vs. 4-5). Jesus was the model servant, and He showed His servant attitude to His disciples. They had not wanted to wash their peers' feet, but Jesus, God incarnate, got on His knees to them and performed the servant’s task.
Not only was this cleansing their feet from the dust and dirt of the day, this was also symbolic of spiritual cleansing, and a model of Christian humility and selfless service. Each of the disciples noticed that their Master was performing this task, and were probably embarrassed. When Jesus got to Peter, he told Jesus to stop, that He didn’t need to perform that lowly task on him (vs. 6-8). Peter was indignant that Jesus would stoop so low as to wash his feet. Jesus had meant to show that this was also symbolic of spiritual cleansing, of salvation through Him. However, Peter did not see the symbolism of that involved. The Savior had to point out that unless one is washed clean through Him, then he has no part in Him (vs. 8). Unless the Lamb of God cleanses a person’s sin, one can have no part with Him.
Peter did not want to be left out of a relationship with Jesus! He wanted all in! “Wash all of me!” he said (vs.9). Jesus instructed them that once they have initially been washed and cleansed in salvation, that never needs to be repeated. We can never lose our salvation. We do, though, need constant washing for the forgiveness of our daily sins as we battle sin in the flesh (vs. 10).
Afterwards, Jesus put the bowl, pitcher, and towel away and rejoined them at the table. He taught them a special lesson in humility and having a servant’s heart and attitude with one another (vs. 12-17). No more “I’m the greatest!” attitude for them. His children must love and serve one another. Jesus frequently taught that to be a leader, one must be a servant. Are we willing to take the lower spot, or do we always feel that we have to be in the spotlight, in the grand positions? Are we willing to do the thankless tasks, even tasks that others shun, or do we want all of the applause? We must be willing to serve in any way that glorifies God.
In verse 12 we read that Jesus finished washing the disciples' feet. He left no one out. This means that He also washed the feet of Judas Iscariot. Jesus washed the feet of His betrayer! He gave His betrayer equal attention. Are we willing to love and serve others just as much? Jesus gave us an example to follow.
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