The eve of the Passover feast was a busy day and a stressful time for our Lord. Yet Jesus took time out to minister to His disciples. He loved them and wanted to show them the full extent of his love (John 13:1) Jesus did the unthinkable by washing the disciples' feet. It was a dirty job! But the Teacher became a servant! He just got up, took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist (John 13:4) Then He poured water out to the basin and began to wash their feet and dry them with the towel.
How can He do such a think? What would people say? But His love for them far exceeded the norms and expectations of society. His identity would not change by being a servant. He could have asked or commanded one of the disciples to do it. Yet He did not but instead set an example for them (John 13:15) Something they could never forget. His love knew no bound. He loved them even though He knew they would deny Him. He was prepared to go down and be humble like a servant. The Teacher was showing His disciples the right way to go. They must now be servants by washing each others feet just their Teacher. This was what it meant to follow Him. The road that led to the cross was paved with unmeasured love and humility. Jesus went all the way even to lose His own life for us sinners.
How do we wash each others feet today? Some churches reenact the actual washing of feet on Thursday, during Holy Week to remember the humility of the Servant King. I think the example of Jesus was more than just to repeat His physical actions. We need to ask ourselves how can we really be a servant to one another. Are we sensitive to the need of others? Do we take the initiative when we see their needs? Are we prepared to come out of our comfort zones and clean another person's 'smelly feet' even those who are most undeserving and unappreciative? Only a servant's heart filled with the love of Jesus can do it. There is even a blessing if you do them (John 13:17)
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