Hidden message behind Jesus washing disciples' feet

Some interpret this passage to mean that we should conduct actual foot-washings today; others think it is a nice story of humility.

However, to get a true grasp of its meaning we need to look at the historical and cultural relevance of John 13:1-8:

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.

Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”  Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

It is an historical — and very significant — fact that Jesus died on Passover.

It was not a coincidence. Passover was the holy day when Jewish families would sacrifice a lamb to take the place of their sins in order to achieve pardon from God. 

An innocent lamb was chosen because God was symbolically teaching the Jews — as well as all mankind — that something innocent must die for the guilty because sin can never go unpunished or without a payment being made.

Remember the words of John the Baptist when he first saw Jesus? He said, “…Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29b).

What is revealed in 1 Corinthians 5:7 is that Jesus Christ is our Passover lamb.

He was innocent and sinless and came to take our place and die for our sins so that we would not have to pay for our sins for all eternity in a place that is separated from God if we accept His gift of eternal life by faith. Jesus was God’s lamb that died for us.

Jews and religious people from all over the world would gather in Jerusalem a week before Passover to celebrate. Jesus and his disciples were among them.

Our passage tells us that Jesus knew He was going to die and in fact rise again from the dead.  Jesus loved his disciples and, as He rose from the table which laden with the Passover feast, He prepared to show them the full extent of His love, love to the utmost, through the washing of their feet.

In the culture of Jesus’ time open shoes or sandals were the most popular form of footwear.

Because walking was the common mode of transportation, one’s feet would get very dirty and dusty.

Typically, if you were wealthy at the time of Christ, you might hire a servant who would wash the feet of your guests when they arrived.

However, this was such a lowly task that even many servants were not expected to do it. Jesus, however, chose to interrupt His dinner, get up from the table and perform this most menial task.

Imagine the scene. Food was on the table. We are told: “The evening meal was in progress…”, people were probably eating and talking, and Jesus got up, “…took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist.

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” What a moment! All the disciples accepted Jesus’ actions except one, Peter. Ironically, Peter was the one who usually put his ‘foot in his mouth’ and who often spoke before he thought and later regretted it. John recorded the discussion.

Peter asked Jesus why He was washing his feet. Jesus’ answer to him is that he would understand what this means later. Peter replied with a double negative, “No…you shall never wash my feet.” (verse 8). 

Jesus responded to him by explaining that unless He does this Peter would have no part of Him.

An enthusiastic Peter then asked Jesus to not only wash his feet, but his hands and head… in other words, Peter suggested to Jesus He might as well give him a bath! 

Jesus replied to Peter with a powerful revelation, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean...” (Verse 10).

Let’s examine the spiritual implications of what Jesus said here. 

The “bath” He referred to is a Greek word that means “to bathe all over”. 

When one accepts Jesus Christ as personal Saviour, it means they have been “bathed all over”, or they have been cleansed from their sin. 

This means no matter how much wrong you have done, and no matter for how long… Jesus is able and willing to forgive you of all of it and cleanse you totally.

I want to encourage you today. Jesus teaches us something from His act of humility. 

Jesus did not come to condemn any of us, but to save us. He does not force His salvation on you, but offers it to you as a free gift. 

Why don’t you make sure that you have had your spiritual ‘bath’ and accept Jesus as your personal Saviour?

It is the most important decision you could ever make.

Let’s discover its real meaning next week.