The account of The Upper Room described the Passover Feast that Jesus and The Twelve had which is famously called The Last Supper. It happened during the late afternoon and evening hours before the Judgement Hall of Pontius Pilate. The first major event in The Upper Room was recorded in John 13:1-17, the well-known washing of the feet, where Jesus moved from public ministry (John chapters 1-12) to the private ministry of those who received Him. This is where Jesus’ humility is most breathtakingly displayed in the way He loves. Knowing the betrayal and pain that was to take place soon as well as the glory of returning to Heaven, Jesus concerned Himself only with the hearts of the ones The Father gave to Him, and He washed the disciples’ feet because “he loved them to the end” (John 13:1) which means Jesus loved them with perfect love. God loves the world and unrepentant sinners with the compassion of common grace (John 3:16, Matthew 5:44-45. Titus 3:4) but Jesus loves His own, the disciples and YOU and I, with perfect, redeeming and eternal love. The washing of the feet demonstrated Jesus’ love and humility as well as a symbolizes Jesus’ cleansing of sins (as John 13:8 interprets). It also acquainted them, and us, with the care and tenderness He has for His followers even when seated in Heaven. In John 16:7 Jesus said to the disciples that it was for their good that He go away because “I go to send you a comforter” while He “prepare a place for you” (John 14:2-3). Jesus could have sent for them and us but He intends to come for us Himself — as the ultimate hero. Just as a devoted husband would do for his bride.
Luke 12:36-37 confirms the glory of Jesus’ perfect heart when He compares Himself to a bridegroom. With Jesus washing the disciples’ feet it provides a beautiful illustration of Ephesians 5:25-27 with Jesus washing the members of His Body, The Church, His Bride, with the washing of water before He washes them with The Word of God. No loving husband ever endeavored more to meet the needs of his bride’s soul than Christ does for His disciples and in them all believers (see John 17:20). At that time, the disciples were embarrassed and apalled by their Master washing their feet; we see this in John 13:6 when Simon Peter spoke up and it was safe to presume the other disciples thought the same:
“He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” (John 13:6-7)
In their culture, disciples did not wash each other’s feet. It was a servant’s job to wash a disciple’s feet, but here was the Master offering Himself up to do this. The Master was demonstrating the very crux of love — humility, gentleness and lowliness. By washing the disciples’ feet, even the one who was to betray Him, Jesus provided an example of “a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you… by this all people will know that you are my disciples…” (see John 13:34). This will be echoed throughout Jesus’ sermon to His disciples.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What else about washing the disciples’ feet shows Jesus’ perfect humility and love towards them and to you?
Prayer Prompt:
Ask the Lord to grant you deeper places of humility so that you may be sanctified more into His likeness and serve others as He did.