A Deliberate Act of Servanthood

Read: John 13.1-38

In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the focus of this final evening meal shared between Jesus and His disciples is the institution of the Lord’s Supper (also known as Holy Communion). Most scholars believe that John’s Gospel was probably written after the other three accounts, so John’s failure to include this focus is likely due to the fact that Jesus’ establishment of this sacrament was already widely known and, indeed, commonly practiced. John instead includes a part of the evening that may have been considered “secondary” (for lack of a better term) by the other authors but was of “primary” importance to him, especially in the context of the Last Supper: Jesus washed His disciples’ feet.

Foot-washing was not unusual in Palestine, where the roads were unpaved and where the feel of reclining guests could not be hidden under a table. However, it was performed for visitors by household servants, not by the hosts…or by disciples for their master, rather than the other way around. Understandably, the disciples felt uncomfortable and embarrassed when Jesus began to wash their feet (and one can only imagine how Judas, who was to betray Jesus, was feeling in those moments). From our distance as readers we can see the significant symbolism of Jesus’ humble act of service, but Peter could not. Perhaps with a mix of embarrassment and pride, Peter tried to prevent Jesus from washing his feet. But, when Jesus said to him, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me,” Peter requested that Jesus wash his hands and his head as well! Jesus explained that such additional washing would be unnecessary, since it was a matter of inward rather than outward cleaning.

This event, on the evening before Jesus’ death, may have seemed forgettable to some, but for John it carried profound significance and meaning. Jesus undertook an act of love that led Him to stoop to the most menial of service. He was offering spiritual cleansing and setting an example of how His followers…including us…must treat each other.

Jesus goes on to predict betrayal and denial by ones who had just experienced His act of loving service, which gives even richer and deeper meaning to what He did for His disciples. This is love: a deliberate act of service and kindness toward another as a reflection of God’s intention and sacrificial love.