ZPCBlog

About the author: James is married to Shannon. They have 5 children and 9 grandchildren between them. They are members of ZPC, where they attend and serve. They recently moved to East Carmel. James is originally from California, but now loves and claims Indiana as home. James is retired from the United States Marine Corps and currently works for Eli Lilly & Company. James and Shannon have a hobby farm, “The Purdie Hoodstead.” James enjoys working on DIY projects and spending time with grandkids.

Scripture

Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already decided that Judas son of Simon Iscariot would betray Jesus. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I 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, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had reclined again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, slaves are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
John 13:1-17

When I look at the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet in John 13:1-10, the first thing that strikes me is the level of humility Jesus shows. He tells us plainly that he came to serve, not to be served. In the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:3 says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and verse 5 says, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” There are many other verses that clearly explain what posture we should take as we serve others. So why don’t we always behave that way?

How many of you would feel comfortable with your boss picking you up from home, opening every door for you, and bringing you your first cup of coffee? What about Jerry showing up at your house to cut your grass, and wash your filthy clothes by hand, all while he tells you to just relax and enjoy yourself?

I don’t know about you, but both scenarios would make me extremely uncomfortable. This is probably because I tie worldly assumptions to titles and positions. It could be related to 30 years of living and breathing the chain of command from the Marines.

The disciples were accustomed to having their feet washed as a routine act of hospitality, but this would have been done by a slave or servant. Jesus took on the role of the least among us. I can only imagine their shock and disbelief at his actions. Peter, being Peter, voiced what must have been on all their minds: “You shall never wash my feet!”

What makes this scene even more striking is that Judas was in that room. John 13:2 tells us that the devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus — and yet Jesus knelt before him and washed his feet anyway. He served his betrayer with the same tenderness he showed everyone else. That is not just humility; that is grace beyond our understanding.

Jesus was doing more than providing a lesson in humility — he was foreshadowing what was to come. Just as he knelt to wash the dirt from his disciples’ feet, he would soon lay down his life to wash away our sins. In both acts, the King became the servant. He was also showing us how we are to treat one another: not seeking the highest seat, but willingly taking the lowest.

We should remember that we are called to be servants, and that we are no better than anyone else — including those who are not kind to us, and who may have deceived or hurt us in the past. Let us strive to show humility in all we do, and also be willing to graciously accept when others are trying to serve us.

May the blessing of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, be with you this Resurrection season.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
We are so thankful for your creation and redemption plan. I ask that as we remember Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, and his victory over the wages of our sin, we daily put to death our individual sins and take up our crosses. I ask that we maintain a servant’s heart, and that we treat each other with respect and dignity no matter where we come from, for we all serve you. Continued prayer for our leaders and our local body. In your precious name.
Amen

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