The teacher kneels at the student’s feet and begins to wash.
It’s his last night with his friends. His last chance to teach them, his last chance to give them the guidance and encouragement they will need for the trials ahead
Sure, they will be together again. He knows this, but they don’t. He’s tried and tried to tell them, but they do not understand. He knows his arrest, trial and crucifixion will come as a surprise to them. He knows the uncertainty and fear the next three days will hold for them. He knows that what he says and what he does, tonight, is important. It must count – he must reach them.
Jesus, knowing all this, chooses to start by washing his disciples’ feet.
The teacher kneels at the student’s feet and begins to wash.
They neglected to wash their feet before coming to dinner – a breach of first century etiquette. Perhaps, they were in a hurry to eat, much like a small child runs in from playing and neglects to wash up before dinner. Or perhaps, they are too busy thinking of their own honor. Foot washing falls to the lowest ranking person (usually the lowest ranking slave in the household) – so no one wanted to stoop to do this menial task.
As the water pours over their feet and their beloved teacher wipes them clean, Jesus shows them in a tangible way that there is NOTHING he will not do for them. He will always love them; love them to the end and beyond. He will always love them and out of that love, he will serve them, even when that service requires his death on the cross.
He once taught that he gives living water, water that will become a never-ending spring of life in them. As he pours the water over their feet, he wonders if they understand that the living water is love – God’s love, his love, the love he will commands them to show one another.
The teacher kneels at the student’s feet and begins to wash.
Do they understand what he is doing? Do they understand the example he is showing? Have they been listening, really listening these last three years?
The rules have changed. They lived in the kingdom of the world, the kingdom of Rome. He has brought them into the kingdom of God. The rules have changed. Love your enemy, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile. God shows up precisely where least expected: in a secret, nighttime conversation; under the noon sun by a well; on a hillside full of hungry people; walking across a stormy sea; at the table with tax-collectors and prostitutes; at the grave of a beloved friend. The most unlikely place of all – the hated Roman cross, a sign of weakness and contempt – will be the place where God is most fully revealed.
God is with us, God is for us. The world is turned upside down. God takes on human form. The Messiah is not conquering king, but humble servant. The innocent dies for the guilty. Death does not win but becomes a path to true victory.
The new rule is love. Love breaks through all the old rules, all the old ways of doing things. The hungry are fed, the mourners are comforted, the poor are cared for, the oppressed are championed. If they follow his example, they too will bring others into the
The teacher kneels at the student’s feet and begins to wash.
Now it’s Peter’s turn. Peter, headstrong, stubborn Peter, refuses. He is uncomfortable with this turning of the tables. He knows that he should be the one washing Jesus’ feet. Patiently, Jesus tells him that this washing marks Peter as one of Jesus’ own. Impetuous Peter now surrenders not only his feet, but his head and hands. “Peter, Peter, I only need to wash your feet to make you clean, to mark you as mine.”
This is more than just washing the feet before dinner. They don’t understand it yet, but this washing makes them part of Jesus, gives them a part in the saving work of the cross. This washing cleans their feet, and unites them in the once-and-for-all cleansing from sin Jesus’ suffering and death will bring.
This washing is a baptism, as the water pours over their feet, they are claimed as Jesus’ own. They are marked by the cross of Christ. As one of Jesus’ own, as members of the kingdom of God, they are his example of love to the world – sent to give their lives away in love and humble service.
The teacher kneels at the student’s feet and begins to wash.
He comes to Judas’ feet. Notice that Judas does not leave until after Jesus washes the disciples’ feet. Jesus knows that Judas will betray him, and yet he washes the betrayer’s feet. Will the rest understand? Will they realize later that by doing so, he is telling them that his love, God’s love is for everyone? That this love is unconditional – all are welcome, all are loved, even the one who will shortly become an enemy.
The teacher kneels at your feet and begins to wash.
What does it mean to be washed by Jesus to have Jesus poured over us in the waters of baptism? We are cleansed from sin. We are marked as one of Jesus’ own, marked with the sign of the cross forever. Named and claimed as a child of God, sealed by the Holy Spirit, we have become citizens of the Kingdom of God.
As one of Jesus’ own, as members of the kingdom of God, we are his living example of love in the world – sent to give our lives away in love and humble service.
The teacher kneels at your feet and begins to wash.
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other as I have loved you. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34-35 NLT)
Love extravagantly. Love with humility. Love your neighbors, your friends, your enemies. Love those I love and remember I love the whole world, enough to give my life away for all. Follow me, do what I do – even if it is difficult, even if it makes no sense, even if the world thinks it strange, even if you can’t see what good it will do. Love with my heart, walk with my feet, serve with my hands.
Love as I have loved you.
The teacher kneels at your feet and begins to wash.
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