It is Thursday, and Jesus wishes to celebrate Passover with his fellows. They have now assembled in the upper room. Before them the table is set. About them the feast is spread.
However, in poor form, all the fellows have gathered about the sacred table with soiled feet. No one taken the initiative to esteem others better than himself. Not one disciple seems interested in being the servant who takes up the basin and the towel. They would all rather fight for the chief seats in the kingdom.
Jesus, reading the room, takes advantage of another teaching moment. He removes his outer robe, wraps himself with a towel, and busies himself washing the feet of his ministers.
This seems so wrong! Here is the “King of kings” and the “Lord of lords” on his knees removing Palestinian dirt from between his disciples’ toes. Therefore, understandably, Peter raises his objection:
“Lord … you shall never wash my feet.” (John 13:8)
Jesus then adds words to actions. He preaches the Gospel to his fellows:
“If I do not wash you, you have no share with me … The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.” (John 13:10)
Jesus then provides a further word of application:
“Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15)
Apparently, washed men are to wash. Cleansed men are to cleanse. Graced men are to grace. Served men are to serve.
Meditating friends …
Notice the good Law of God and our sin. We are saints seated around Jesus’ table, eager to enjoy his benefits, eager to promote ourselves, and less eager to serve our Lord and our neighbors. We are guilty. We are sinful saints. We are dirty disciples. None of us loves God and our neighbors as we ought.
Notice the good promise — the Gospel — and our declared righteousness. We have a Savior comes our way, humbles himself, and takes up the basin and the towel, and all of this is before he takes up his cross. And when he washes those he washes, he never leaves them undone. Jesus thoroughly cleanses us from all our iniquities. Our sin-stained souls are completely cleansed, purified, and made spotless, radiant, and sweet-smelling — and this is our condition forever and ever.
Notice the good response of worshiping lovers: Today, we get to be used by Jesus Christ to affect the feet and hearts of our neighbors. So, let’s receive and meditate upon these truths today, then let’s get dirty applying Christ’s love to others in our midst.
Unfathomable Grace 