John 13:12-15 12Then, when he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14Therefore, if I have washed your feet as Lord and Teacher, you also ought to wash the feet of one another. 15For I have given you an example, in order that as I have done to you, you also do.
One can only wonder what was in the minds of the disciples as Jesus worked around the room washing each one’s dirty feet. Jesus’ exchange with Peter in the previous verses might provide a clue. Jesus’ next statement was likely also confusing and shocking to them. Jesus’ question in verse 12 pinpoints his purpose and challenges the disciples to catch a clue as the meaning of what he had done to them. People are still challenged and divided about how to answer the question about the significance of what Jesus did. This story has a prominent place in John’s Gospel, suggesting that there is more implied than simply washing someone’s dirty feet. This event was a foretaste of what Jesus would show on the cross. If he showed a servant’s heart by washing feet, which was lowly and humble enough, how much more would death on a cross reveal about the extent of his love, compassion, and willingness to serve?
Verse 13 shows that the disciples had some understanding of Jesus but not the depth they needed. They had heard him teach the crowds and debate the brightest scholars of the day. He taught as one with authority. His words were powerful and true. They had also called him Lord (kyrios), which could be interpreted simply as a respectful “sir” or in recognition of a person’s position of authority. They were correct in their use of the words but needed to take these words to a higher level of understanding and commitment. Jesus was more than a rabbi but was THE Truth embodied in a person. He was the full and final revelation of God. He was the ONLY Way to the Father. Believing in him was the only SOURCE of eternal Life. The disciples also needed to understand Jesus as the great “I am” in the flesh. Jesus’ resurrection would show Jesus to be Lord (Romans 1:4).
Beyond the new and expanded thinking and faith the disciples needed to have, in verse 14, Jesus called them to imitate him in foot washing. The supreme Lord and Teacher bent down to the low position of servant to wash their feet. It is almost always difficult to take the lowest position after experiencing the greatness of a situation. Pride tempts us to enjoy the praise of people and the power over them, from government and business, down even to families and personal relationships. The challenge with verses 14-15 is to consider the application of what Jesus meant. Two positions have been taken about this issue.
One the one hand, Jesus’ statement could be taken literally, that his disciples were to wash one another’s feet. Some groups have elevated foot washing to a sacrament since Jesus gave this direction, likely at the same meal when he told his disciples about remembering his death while eating bread and drinking grape juice. The challenge is that there is no evidence that the early church did not practice foot washing in this way. Washing another person’s feet or having one’s own feet washed can be a powerful spiritual act and is practiced occasionally in some settings that do not consider it a sacrament.
The other approach is to look at footwashing as representing humble service or a “servant’s heart.” The disciples needed to be willing to stoop low in whatever way was required to serve and help one another. Most people interpret the story this way. One can wash another’s feet without having the right attitude and do it simply out of duty or as a meaningless ritual. But to humble oneself in service to others requires putting aside pride and finding ways to love when it is not easy. If the might Lord, Word, and Redeemer served in one of the lowliest ways of that time and culture, we must also find ways to serve others.
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