John 13:3-5a


Jesus…rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet ~ John 13:3-5a

The washing of feet was a courtesy provided by the host. Most people wore sandals, and the feet would be dusty and dirty from long walks. Here, during the supper hour, Jesus rose and partially disrobed, taking on the image of a servant as He girded himself with a towel. He did this without explanation, but just began the lowly job of washing feet which had walked roads in following Him. We must understand the circumstances, for the disciples were still expecting the coming of a great earthly kingdom, and for them, this would have been like a state dinner! But, as in other occurrences, each wanted to hold the chief position! No other disciple had volunteered to wash the feet of Jesus as their Master, or to bring that relief to each other. Yet, as they are filled with ambition and greed over personal positions, or to serve their Lord to do this menial job for Him, He rose to attend to them. This was a job never done by a superior, but by the inferior, yet, we see Jesus bent over the feet of His disciples in humility. Symbolically, He cleanses them, a foreshadowing of His act upon the cross which erases the division between God and mankind and brings the cleansing of the spirit so that we may enter into the throne room of our God. It makes me wonder and ask, ‘Whose feet have you washed lately?’
Devotion by Pastor Julia

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