May Jesus Wash Your Feet?

In chapters 13-17 in the book of John, Jesus gives us the experience of Thursday night before his crucifixion.  Chapters 13-14 are in the upper room. Jesus is there with the 12. At the end of chapter 14 Jesus said “arise, let us go hence” so we know that chapters 15-16 are on the way to Gethsemane.

The setting is very important. This is Jesus’ last chance before his death to teach his disciples privately. He made every moment count. No part of life is left out in his counsel. Remember he always has the answer for our needs. As they followed him they walked along the walls of the gates and homes with their vines growing up on them. He took that opportunity to tell them “I am the vine, ye are the branches.”

Chapter 17 is just before his final prayer. In that chapter he prayed for you and me. After hearing that, we might ask how in the world the disciples went to sleep. Then I think of myself. I get drowsy on the Lord sometimes. I’m thankful our Lord never goes to sleep on us.

The first thing Jesus taught them would be fulfilled in the kingdom of God when it was ushered in by his death, burial, and resurrection. He took the bread, broke it, and passed it around. He said “eat in remembrance of me.” He took the cup and told each of them to drink. This first lesson was the Passover of the Old Testament. The second was the covenant of the New Testament in his blood.

The second thing Jesus taught them is a foundation of the plan of salvation.

John 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. 6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. 8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. 9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. 11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

May Jesus wash your feet?

That night and the next day would be a complete surprise to everyone but the Lord. Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper, and as they tried to grasp that, he girds himself with a towel and begins to wash their feet, the lowest, dirtiest part of their body. What a surprise! Can you imagine the spirit in that room? I’m not at all surprised by Peter’s statement “thou shalt never wash my feet.” It’s much like John the Baptist telling Jesus that it was he that needed to be baptized for he was not worthy to even lose the shoelaces of the Lord. However, John did it at the command of the Lord.

Jesus didn’t ask permission to wash their feet, yet they had to give permission for it to be done. Peter refused until Jesus explained it. It was hard for him to understand at that time, but he did later on. When Peter told the Lord no, Jesus said “if I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”  When Jesus spoke, it all came through loud and clear. He needed to be cleaned by the Lord. Jesus used Peter’s protest to show us daily cleansing is essential.  He also showed the proper attitude, love, trust, and faith we’re to show to Jesus; however, it is of no good unless we have the same attitude for each other. We’re able to submit and serve our brothers and sisters when we have submitted to the Lord. First we have to be cleansed.

The act of washing the feet was done; Jesus had taken the part of their bodies that was most defiled. When Jesus responded to Peter, he said “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”  Jesus told him all that needed to be washed was what was dirty. Sometimes we focus on the good and ignore what needs cleansing.  In preparation for the Passover, there was a time of cleansing for the body. In going from the place of cleansing to where they participated in the Passover meant they had to walk. Imagine if we walked in sandals all day long. Wouldn’t our feet be dirty? The same is true for the Jews. Their feet were dirty by the time they got to the table.  The only part of the disciples that was not clean was their feet. When they, and we, let the Lord wash the dirtiest, most vile parts of us, we are clean and usable. Only HE can do it.  I’m thankful someone will wash my sins away and forgive me. Jesus washed their feet until they were clean. He delivers until we are delivered. He alone has the power and is willing to touch us where none would dare—and it’s right where we need it. Imagine the feet of a fisherman. Maybe he was ashamed of his feet. We get ashamed sometimes don’t we?  We still have to “stick our feet out” and let him cleanse what needs it.

Jesus, the Master, washed his disciple’s feet. He showed us how we should treat each other. As he became their servant, we are to do that for our brothers and sisters. Do it without pride or harboring of bad feelings. Jesus said “happy are ye if ye do it.” It blesses us.

Many times David prayed for the Lord to wash him. The last verse of Psalm 19 says “let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”

“Wash me, Lord, so as to make what I do acceptable in your sight.”