Read John 13:1-17

As Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (see John 12:12-19), the crowds lined the roads shouting…

“Hosanna!”
“Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
“Blessed is the king of Israel!” John 12:13 NIV

The exclamation “Hosanna” literally means “save” and the rest of the proclamation is reserved for kings victoriously returning from war. These crowds believed that Jesus was coming to expel the Romans from Israel and would physically sit on the throne of David in power. This misunderstanding of the mission of Jesus would lead to some in this same crowd turning on Jesus later.

Rather than sitting in power exalted on the throne of David saving the nation from Roman rule and oppression, Jesus would bring salvation through humility and sacrifice, laying His life down not only for Israel but for the entire world.

This is the concept of kingdom turned upside down. When Jesus meets with His disciples to partake in an evening meal, He does the unthinkable, taking the role of a servant He washes the disciple’s feet.

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. John 13:3-5 NIV

In Biblical times, the roads and paths were not paved as today. As people walked from place to place in sandals, the dust from the roads would cover their feet. Most houses had servants who would wash the feet of travelers as they entered. This was considered to the one of the lowest jobs in the household.

The idea that Jesus, the Creator of the universe and Savior of the world, would get on his knees and wash His disciple’s feet would be appalling to the disciples (and to the reader as well). Thus, we see the objection of Peter…

He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “You shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.” John 13:6-8 NIV

In a world where rulers ruled and servants served, Jesus was teaching His disciples that His kingdom was not of this world. In His upside-down kingdom, rulers would serve and servants would rule. Rather than being exalted in this world, Jesus would be exalted in heaven for eternity. Rather than having positions of power in this world, the disciples would lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel.

When He had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. “You call Me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:12-17 NIV

The disciples must have been deeply impacted by this act of humility and service from their Savior. Rather than simply teaching the disciples about humility, Jesus demonstrated humility. Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand words.

Questions to consider:
In what ways can we carry on the intentions of Jesus? How can we “wash one another’s feet”?
Ask God to show you opportunities each day to serve others in humility as in the example of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet.