1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.“
Comment: All four gospels explain how Jesus used the Remembrance Feast of the Passover Lamb being slain to allow the Israelis to escape from slavery in Egypt. We all have some idea of how the lamb’s body and blood is a pointer to His torn body and shed blood recalls (and even more) His death releasing us from the slavery to sin! It is now called the Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper or Communion.
Remember that it was a custom for feet to be washed by a servant or lowlier person in the family as people sat down to an organized meal. The roads were dusty. I’m not sure if it happened at every family small meal. But this was a major memorial feast and Jesus alone remembered the need to wash feet! I remember the story of a visiting Preacher being asked to wait in the office of the Minister of the church where he was to preach while the Minister organized a few things. As he waited the visiting Preacher saw 4 pictures on the wall – those of a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree and a PhD degree. The fourth amazed him it was a painting of a towel hanging on a hook. When the Minister returned the Visitor asked., ‘What is the meaning of the towel?’ The reply, ‘A picture to remind me of my highest responsibility!’ Reflecting no doubt the words of Jesus “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.“ The servant role of every believer!
Galatians 5: 13&14 – For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.”
Prayer: Help me,please, with real depth to love my neighbour as myself.
As I read it! 