‘…Peter said to Him, Lord, are you washing my feet?” – John 13:6 (NKJV)
Imagine being Peter and watching Jesus wash the feet of others, all the while moving closer to you. Seeing his Master behave like a slave must have confused Peter. He still did not understand Jesus’ teaching that to be a leader, a person must be a servant. This is not a comfortable passage for leaders who struggle to serve those beneath them. How do you treat those who work under you, whether children, employees, or volunteers?
In this passage, Peter simply speaks out of ignorance when he told Jesus, “You shall never wash my feet!” (John 13:8). He did not really understand why Jesus was washing everyone’s feet. In Peter’s mind, Jesus was debasing Himself, humiliating Himself. Peter was missing the point at that time.
Friends, Jesus accomplished redemption and salvation, not through brute force or power, but through humiliation. He humbled Himself to the point of death, even death on the cross. That’s His service to us.
Jesus was saying, ‘When I wash your feet, I make you clean all over.’ One touch of the cleansing power of Christ cleanses us from all sin. Spending time with God is vital, but let us be honest: He also wants us to roll up our sleeves and serve others.
Jesus wasn’t just about sitting on a mountaintop; He washed feet (John 13:1-17)! He ministered to the hurting, the helpless, and the overlooked. Thus, we should be looking out for one another. Serving one another. Checking in on each other. This is what Jesus teaches us: loving, humble service.
In other words, before you can go out and wash someone else’s feet, Jesus must first wash yours.
May we all humble ourselves before the Lord and serve one another.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask that the precious blood of Your Son wash over and through us. Cleanse us from all iniquity and sin, make us whiter than stone, and purify our hearts, minds, and bodies in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Read: Revelation 1:5; 1 John 1:7
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 10:12-18; Matthew 13:18-35; Genesis 36; Genesis 37