Wash Each Other’s Feet (Part 1)

John 13 (NIV)

³Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God ⁴so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him…¹²When 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. ¹³"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. ¹⁴Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. ¹⁵I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

At the last supper, Jesus took the time to wash His disciple’s feet. There is a process which He followed and afterwards He gave the instruction for the disciples to do as He had also done. There are some lessons which we need to learn from this service which He did on that night.

a) He got up from the meal- stepping away from those things which might be beneficial for one’s own sustenance in order to help others. In order to serve others one must be prepared to sacrifice. 

b) He took off His outer clothing- this is a setting aside of those things which one might be identified with which are external in order for those things to not hinder your service. 

c) He wrapped a towel around His waist- Jesus took on the role of a servant and He requires the same of us. He could have held the towel in His hands but He wanted to have both His hands free to do the washing thoroughly. There are things which we have as aids to doing ministry which if we are not careful may result in hindering us from fully rendering the service we need to.

d) He poured water into a basin- Jesus made sure He gathered all the things which He required to do the work prior to setting out do it. We need to mobilise all the necessary resources and equip ourselves in order to be able to minister to others effectively.

e) He began and finished washing the disciple’s feet- When Jesus had done all the necessary preparation and moved into the mode which was needed for Him to render the service, He began the washing. It is not enough to put in the preparation or to mobilize resources but never get to do the actual work. You should also not put your hand to the plough and not finish the work which you have started…see through whatever it is you are working at.