Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.
So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin.
Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
John 13:3-5 NLT
Jesus taught His disciples by example that they should wash each other’s feet. What is the symbolism behind this mundane act of servitude?
Even though we are clothed in the righteousness of Christ and have the glory of God living inside of us, that is not the identity that we cherish and embrace above all other things.
We are messengers and we are humble servants. We love the people God sends into our lives more than we love our image and reputation.
We are secure in our identity in Christ, therefore we don’t feel the need to manage our reputation and the perceptions of others.
Peter loved the Lord, but he still thought like a human sometimes. Jesus lovingly corrected him into a fuller understanding of the truth.
Foot washing represents removing the dust of the world and walking in its ways off of us before it has the opportunity to permanently stain us.
The world represents sin. Sin is disobedience of God’s will. When we first believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, we are made clean. We are spiritually regenerated, or born again. It would be nice if we walked in perfect obedience from that point forward.
However, it takes a while to unlearn how to be human in the flesh. It takes a while to learn how to walk in the Spirit. Therefore, we need one another to see our blind spots and to use the Word of God to wash away the things that are not of God. This is our act of service as ministers of the Gospel of Grace.
Those who are mature in the Lord are the chief servants in the Body of Christ. They get the task of making disciples. Jesus was the first disciple of God the Father. He made others who followed Him. Now, we are commissioned to continue the ministry of Jesus.
By demonstrating the Kingdom and speaking the truth in love, we equip others to learn how to follow Jesus and share His love.
We are called to live holy lives. That means removing all the ways of the world from each other’s lives and replacing them with the Way of Jesus, the Way of the Spirit, the Way to the Father.
Live in the Truth. Live in love. So fulfill the Royal Law: love one another.
The purpose behind everything we do is to present everyone mature in the Lord. Everything is a teachable moment. God is in everything. Open your eyes and you will see. Listen, and you will hear. Walk, and you will obey. The world is crying out in pain for lack of love and lack of community. We are the answer. We are the disciples of the Cross.
Preach Christ and Him crucified for the sins of the world. Redeem humanity, one soul at a time, one interaction at a time, by speaking the words of God in love and serving one another in humility. Amen.
Father, use Your servants for Your glory. Amen.
You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am.
And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.
I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
John 13:13-15 NLT
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