March 31 -- John 13:1-17
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” –John 13:14 (NIV)

It was the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, and Jesus and His disciples were eating the Passover meal together. Since Jesus knew His time had come, He wanted to show His love for His disciples and leave them with a lesson as He did so. He rose from the table, removed His outer garment, and took the role of the lowest household servant, washing His disciples’ feet.
At first, Peter was aghast and refused Jesus’ act of love and service. This was a menial task performed by the lowest members of society, not something an esteemed rabbi would do, even for loved ones. Jesus told Peter, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me” (v. 8). To which Peter responded by asking Jesus to wash his head and hands, too!
Jesus told Peter, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean” (v. 10). He was speaking metaphorically. The “bath” is symbolic of the cleansing of the whole person through faith in Him. The act of foot washing is both symbolic of the spiritual cleansing that has already taken place and a model of how believers should serve one another. Some commentators take the symbolism a step further, saying that, while the bath symbolizes the cleansing at conversion, the foot washing symbolizes the continual need for confession and cleansing as believers “walk through life” getting their “feet dirty” in the sins of daily living.
Imagine how Jesus must have looked as He got down on His knees to wash His beloved disciples’ dirty feet. Throughout John’s Gospel, we have read about how the Pharisees cherished their prestige and power. Jesus showed His disciples that they were not to be this way. If they wanted to be great in the Kingdom, they were to follow His example and serve others. God’s perspective continually flips the world’s perspective upside down—the meek inherit the earth, the poor in spirit are rich, and the servants are the leaders.
Imagine the disciples’ faces as their Master washed their feet. Imagine the tones in Peter’s and Jesus’ voices. Now, imagine Jesus washing your feet. How does it feel? Do you relate at all to Peter’s response? How will you follow Christ’s example?
Thank Jesus for His loving service to you. Thank Him for washing you clean. Then, talk to Him about who needs to be served this week in your life. Who needs to feel the tender touch of caring hands? Who needs a meal or a kind word? Who needs you to spend some time with them? Ask God to show you who needs serving and to help you serve them in the way Jesus would.
Comentários