What’s the Big Deal About Foot Washing?

What if something as simple as foot washing carried a reward that could be experienced in this life and at this moment? I want to share with you an unexpected ‘high’ we can know when we do something profoundly simple.

There is a familiar part of Jesus’ life that has such special significance and very powerful lessons for every follower of Jesus today. Here is the story. It’s a rather long story, so hang in there with me and we will see what Jesus says to us today.

Foot Washing – our Example

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. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 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, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 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.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”

Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”

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.”

Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

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.” For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

The Application

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? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

John 13:1–16 (ESV)

The Reason

Foot washing was a necessary task in Jesus’ day. People wore sandals and when the day was through their feet wood be very dirty. It was typical that when guests entered a home a servant would be immediately available to wash their feet. This was understandably one of the least desirable task for the lowest of the servants.

Since the foot washing had not been accomplished, Jesus took it upon himself to wash the feet of the disciples as they enjoyed the Passover meal together.

Two critical questions rise out of this event

Do you understand what I have done for you?

Jesus asked his disciples this question. In the immediate context, beyond the obvious, he was setting an example of service and he wanted his disciples to understand this.

In the greater context of life, he asks us this question. He wants us to understand that every good and perfect gift is from him and his Father. His greatest good gift is salvation and eternal life for all who believe. It is essential to understand what he has done for us.

Have you done likewise?

This is an implied question from what Jesus taught. We are called to take the service and heart of Jesus to the church and the world.

Essential lessons

We have an obligation to serve. This is not optional for followers of Jesus. He expects us to do whatever work he sets before us. Following Jesus means we do and say what he asks us to. This is part of the abundant, eternal life that he has given us. The reward of obedience is profound and astounding!

There is no Christian service that is ‘beneath us.’ And there is no one who is truly undeserving of our service. We must understand that we are on level ground at the feet of Jesus. We are not above any other. If anyone had a reason for not stooping to serve, it was Jesus. We can never claim such a privilege.

We have an opportunity to see Jesus at work all around us. I am encouraged when I see followers of Jesus making a profound difference in lives through humble service. There is a powerful application of God’s grace when we serve as he has called us to.

What has he done? For you, in you, through you? When God works through your obedient response, you experience his presence and power in a new way. There is nothing in the world like it. Runners experience a runner’s high at the end of nearly every run. There is a physiological reason for this. I have experienced it many times and it is truly a joy.

However, there is a servant’s high that is even more enjoyable. It happens every time we are obedient to what Jesus tells us what to do. When we follow his prompt and do something for someone in simple obedience, we experience his power working through us – and there is nothing on earth like it!

Your Turn

I challenge you to follow Jesus and his example and serve someone today. It will thrill your soul.