The New Covenant
“Teaching by Example” Written By: Laurie Klimple
John 13:3-17(amplified Bible)
3 ,“that Jesus, knowing that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now] returning to God, 4 got up from supper, took off His [outer] robe, and taking a [servant’s] towel, He tied it around His waist.5 Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist. 6 When He came to Simon Peter, he said to Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied to him, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but you will [fully] understand it later.” 8 Peter said to Him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me [we can have nothing to do with each other].” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, [in that case, wash] not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and is completely clean. And you [My disciples] are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who was going to betray Him; for that reason He said, “Not all of you are clean. 12 So when He had washed their feet and put on His [outer] robe and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is who I am. 14 So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well. 15 For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you. 16 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed [happy and favored by God] if you put them into practice [and faithfully do them].”
In the first verse of this passage of scripture, Jesus knew His time had come for Him to leave the world and return to the Father. It is also revealed that He also knew that one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, would betray Him. So it is very evident that Jesus knows! He knows every single detail of our lives, we cannot hide anything from Him. How could one of His own betray Him? Wow, I just asked a question that I am sure we all, at some time in our earthly lives, have been convicted of…
As the scriptures unfold, we see that Jesus took on the role of a servant by removing His robe, and taking a servant’s towel, and tied it around His waist. He then poured water into a basin and began washing the disciples’ feet. By the way, I could only imagine how dusty, dirty, grimy, and stinky those feet must have been. As He washed, He wiped those feet on the towel He had tied around His waist. Simon Peter questioned Him about washing His feet. Did He miss what was happening at this moment? Jesus was teaching by example! He was modeling what he obviously did not understand, but would much later. Peter exclaims to Jesus that He would never wash his feet. Jesus retorts sternly, “unless I wash you, you have no part with me (we can have nothing to do with one another).” Well I suppose old Peter got to thinking about it and said, “ in that case, wash all of me.” Jesus said that they were completely clean, with washed feet, His disciples were clean. (Except for the one that was to betray Him). After He washed their feet and returned His robe, He reclined at the table and asked, “Do you understand what I have done for you? Did they not realize that He had made them clean? Jesus demonstrated what true humility looks like, what servanthood is all about, what He expects of us, and a glimpse of salvation and cleansing of sin.
In verse 13, He affirms who He is with an “I am” statement: I am Teacher and Lord. He tells them that He washed their feet and that they ought to wash one another’s feet as well. He used the feet washing as an example of humble servanthood. In the culture of this time, washing of feet was the task of a lowly servant. He explains that they are to do as He had done. To accept grace and then give it in return to others. In verse 17, Jesus says, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you put them into practice and faithfully do them.” (Blessed = happy and favored by God). (If = a conditional word), you put them into practice doing not just knowing.
We all learn from watching others as visual learners when we are children; we are God’s children, so Jesus taught by actually performing this role as a servant. This is the most visual representation of any lesson ever taught. I, like Peter, cannot imagine Jesus washing my feet. What a learning experience for His disciples. They were washed, cleansed by Jesus; yes their feet were clean, but Jesus knew their hearts. He even washed the feet of Judas right before he betrayed Him. He had clean feet, but yet an unclean heart. A heart that valued money and possessions rather than Jesus. He allowed Satan’s influence over Jesus, His love, and active service.
Let’s look at the relevance of the water in the washing of the feet. Water represents the presence of God and the Holy Spirit. Jesus washed their feet, cleansed them just like He cleanses us and washes us clean from our sin. To gaze into the Savior’s eyes as He washes me clean is a life experience worth sharing with others. Won’t you let HIm cleanse you of all your sin?
Father, we thank You for Your Son and His Servanthood. Thank you, Father, for cleansing us from our sin. May we glorify You by our service to others modeling Jesus’s example. In His Name, Amen.
