This is the two-hundred-third lesson in author and pastor Mel Lawrenz’ How to Live the Bible series. If you know someone or a group who would like to follow along on this journey through Scripture, they can get more info and sign up to receive these essays via email here.

“It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time 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.” John 13:1-5

The final drama was drawing near. The disciples went to the upper room where they would have the Passover meal and Jesus would teach them about things to come. Jesus “knew that the hour had come.” He knew “the Father had put all things under his power” and he was returning to God. And Satan had already entered the heart of the betrayer, Judas Iscariot.

With the stage thus set, Jesus chose to do a most peculiar thing. He removed his outer garment, wrapped a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and began washing his disciples’ feet. Foot washing was not unusual in that world of dusty paths and dry air. What was unusual was for the master to do this for all of his followers and at this moment when everything held in the balance.

“Do you understand what I have done for you?” Jesus asked (v.12). “I am Lord. I am Master. Yet if I serve you in this way, surely you can serve each other. And if you do, you will be blessed.”

Love each other. Care for each other. Serve each other. Do the dirty work for each other. Humble yourselves before each other. Expend yourselves for each other.

One more time Jesus showed the disciples what it means to be a disciple. And he also knew that only on the other side of the cross, when they would see just how far Jesus’ service would go, would they understand it all.

PONDER THIS

What would your reaction be if Jesus approached you to wash your feet?
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Mel Lawrenz (@MelLawrenz) trains an international network of Christian leaders, ministry pioneers, and thought-leaders. He served as senior pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, for ten years and now serves as Elmbrook’s teaching pastor. He has a PhD in the history of Christian thought and is on the adjunct faculty of Trinity International University. Mel’s many books include Spiritual Leadership Today: Having Deep Influence in Every Walk of Life (Zondervan, 2016). See more of Mel’s writing at WordWay.