(John 13:1-17)….. Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” 8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, yourLord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
You’ve probably never washed anyone’s feet. It’s not common in our part of the world these days, but it was common in biblical times. Back then, many people wore sandals or went barefoot while walking along dirt paths and roads. So their feet got dirtier than ours usually do. Also, people didn’t have the indoor showers and bathtubs we have today, so they couldn’t easily wash off the dirt. So during Jesus’ time on Earth, people would wash their feet with buckets of water and rags. Even today, many families in poor countries can’t afford to live in homes with showers or baths. They use buckets of water and soap to bathe. Washing other people’s feet in biblical times was a way of serving them. Many households had servants, and it was usually their job to wash their masters’ feet. But in John 13, Jesus surprised His disciples by offering to wash their feet! The disciples thought that since Jesus was God and Master of all, they should wash His feet. But Jesus wanted to show them that it’s not a sign of weakness to serve someone — it’s a sign of love, strength and humility. Humility means you don’t view yourself as better than other people.
Jesus’ disciples learned from His powerful lesson, and you can too!
Talk About It:
How would it feel to wash someone’s feet? How do you think Jesus’ disciples felt when He washed their feet? What are some other ways you can serve others today or tomorrow?
Act On It:
With an adult’s help, offer to wash a family member’s feet. Get a bucket of water, add some soap, and then take it to an area where it’s okay to make a mess. Use a washcloth to wash someone’s feet.
Pray About It:
Dear Jesus, Give me an opportunity to serve someone else in a practical way. Help me be aware of the needs around me. I know it’s not a sign of weakness to serve others. Help