Day 16 | John 13
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.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13: 1-17 (NIV)
For Reflection:
Of all the things these disciples had previously learned from Jesus, did this one take them by surprise?
The meal was set, and the nibbling on the food had begun. The disciples, likely famished from the long day, were satisfying their hunger, perhaps content to ignore the fact that their feet remained unclean. Or maybe they were shooting looks around the table, subtle nods suggesting someone else should attend to the lowly task of foot washing. Then, unexpectedly, Jesus arises, removes his formal clothing, wraps a towel around himself, and readies the basin. Did the looks continue?
Jesus, who demonstrates his love through miracles, now embodies the humble role of a house servant and prepares to wash his friends' feet. We read that Peter was uncomfortable with this situation, and true to Peter’s character, he did not hold his tongue. Jesus sets him straight, revealing that the deeper issue isn’t clean feet so much as the need to be washed clean by Jesus, both to begin and maintain a relationship with Him. Still, Jesus presses on, showing what it truly looks like to serve. I wonder if he prayed over each of them as he cleaned their dirty feet, knowing their next season of life would be filled with both deep joy and intense hardship.
This picture of Jesus with the towel helps frame the way we think about our service today. In the early days of North Harbor, small groups were built around the concept of T3 = text, table, and towel. The text represents God’s Word, the table invites community, and the towel symbolizes service. Together, these three aspects help us live in step with God and these components remain ingrained in our North Harbor community to this day.
As I ponder service and why God so clearly models it for us, I’m drawn to its duality. At times, we are the ones serving others; bringing food to a neighbor or friend in need, buying extra Christmas gifts for those who could use the help, volunteering to clean a space not our own, or plowing or shoveling another's driveway. At other times, we find ourselves in need of service; receiving a warm meal, a ride to an appointment, or prayer for a specific request. Both when we are serving and being served, we reflect the image of the triune God. This rhythm of giving and receiving helps us resist the illusion of self-sufficiency, reminding us that humility and trust are essential as we serve and are served.
Let us Pray:
Thank you God, that you are a triune God, three in one, living interdependently. Thank you for letting part of you, in the form of Jesus, come and show us the way to live. Search us God and know our hearts, help us see where you are leading us to trust as we both serve others and receive your provision. May we be people who lean into you for wisdom and strength to serve well as we live out of our days in a broken world in desperate need of your love and mercy. Amen.
Questions:
Jesus often had compassion on people, where are you feeling compassion for people? Maybe there is a need you keep encountering? Ask God to show you how to respond.
If you are able to take a few quiet moments, picture Jesus washing your feet. Feel the water being poured over your feet and allow yourself to be present to Jesus in this moment.