John 13:1-20
Happy Monday! That is not an oxymoron!
Because of where we are in the book of John, we will be considering events in 2025 ahead of their parallel time for +-33 A D. Today we review Jesus' washing the disciples feet. It was a teaching tool for him - and an object lesson for what he wanted them to learn most about being his follower and future leaders.
Jesus and his disciples are having what will later be referred to as "The Last Supper" and Jesus chose that timing to wash his disciples' feet. It was customary for a host to provide water and a towel to rinse off visitor's feet before they entered his/her home. That courtesy was usually done by a household servant. At this final Passover supper Jesus and his disciples were gathered in a borrowed room, and I am assuming that instead of one of the disciples taking that role, Jesus did.
It was only in that setting that he could model what it meant to have humility and serve. I love this picture. He, fully God, took off his outer garment, knelt at each disciples' feet - even at the feet of Judas Iscariot - and washed each man's feet with water and then dried their feet with a towel. Initially Peter protested, but Jesus' response made him quickly reconsider. He truly wanted all Jesus had to offer. He just felt unworthy to have the Master be in a servant's role.
That was the point. He, Jesus - Rabbi, Master, Lord, One with God - took on the role of a servant to show them the way to be a leader. It is through service. No one will ever be better than the Master. We are to mimic his model. This is a really powerful passage. Another building block to build our life on.
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