“Not my feet, Lord!”

John 13:1-17, 34-35

John gives us vivid details in these verses. We read about Jesus’ immense love, his divine knowledge, and his careful act of service — washing his friends’ feet. 

If you’re familiar with this scene, you know that this was a servant’s job, or the job of the person with the lowest status in the room. The disciples are all whispering and arguing over who is going to do this, because they all think they’re the greatest (Luke 22:24-27). And it seems that Jesus allows the meal to begin without this necessity being done.

But at some point, it cannot be ignored. Jesus silently stands and takes off his outer layer. Likely, the disciples haven’t understood yet. They’re enjoying the meal, ignoring the unwashed feet behind them. 

Wordlessly, Jesus takes up a towel and ties it around himself. What are the disciples thinking, seeing this? Do they start to understand? 

The sound of water sloshing into the basin draws everyone’s attention. By now it must be obvious what Jesus intends to do. 

These men have been walking all day, on filthy streets crowded with animals and people, wearing sandals. Their feet are disgusting. And Jesus moves to the nearest disciple, and starts to gently, humbly, willingly wash his feet clean. He  wipes them dry on the towel. 

Jesus does not intend to shame-wound these men for refusing to serve each other, but his example would have provoked intense feelings of embarrassment. They understand that Jesus is having to do the job that one of them should have done. Jesus doesn’t rebuke them at all! He tells them that he is doing this to show them his love, and to give them this example for how to love one another.  

For many, many of us, it is hard to receive generosity. We balk at being served when we cannot serve in return (I think that’s what Peter is feeling in this passage). We may even frame it so it sounds like we’re actually more spiritual for this attitude. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). But the truth of the gospel is that Jesus saw us in our sinful mess and loved us — when we were unlovable. He loved us so much that he entered into the mess, embracing us and washing us clean. This is what Jesus did for you. And all you can do is receive it.