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Washing our feet - Part 1

Humility comes from strength

John 13v1-5

27th March 2015

John 13:1-5
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 now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, 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 round 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 round him.

It was the last meal Jesus would eat before He died, and He wanted to share it with His friends. He'd led them, taught them, loved them, for three and a half years, and now one of them was in the process of betraying Him. And the others were still selfish, proud, ambitious men:

Mark 10:35-37
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do for us whatever we ask."
"What do you want me to do for you?" he asked.
They replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory."

Luke 22:24-27
Also a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.
Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

They'd walked from Bethany to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Their feet were dusty, smelly and uncomfortable. Usually the host would instruct a servant to wash his guests' feet, but there was no servant there. Not one of the disciples was willing to take the servant's place. They didn't want the unpleasant job of washing other people's feet. And they didn't want to appear inferior in rank. Each man waited. Nothing happened. The meal was being served and not one of them was willing to serve the others.

So Jesus did it. The King of Kings, the Son of God, the Lord of Heaven and Earth, got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist. Dressed only in His loincloth, Jesus poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him.

Jesus was secure enough to be humble. He knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God. Jesus knew who He was. He knew that the Heavenly Father loved Him. He knew He was in authority. Confident in His own identity and in the Father's love, Jesus was able to be humble.

It's a sign of our insecurity when we feel the need to refuse humble tasks.

Two thousand years later we still think we're above menial tasks, too "spiritual" to get our hands dirty (especially if we're church leaders - or aspire to be). And Jesus is still willing to do what we are not. Jesus still washes us clean, if we'll let Him. He washes us with His pure, holy blood.

We may still be selfish, proud and ambitious, but Jesus is still meek and humble. He still says:

Matthew 11v28-29
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.