I did not turn on the Super Bowl until the end of the 4th quarter this year (2024), so I did not see the surprise commercial about Jesus washing feet, but I did see the reactions to it. As I read the reactions and then watched the commercial online, I noticed that every one had something true about Jesus washing feet and none of them told the truth. It has been on my heart these past few weeks to try and write about Jesus washing the disciples feet.
First this event is recorded one time in the Gospels and that is in John 13. Verse one sets the stage for the event. It is at the Passover Supper. Jesus' time has come to an end and in just a matter of hours or minutes, He would be arrested, tortured, mocked, had several Kangaroo court trials, and crucified until death. He also loved those who was following Him and this was one last time to be with them, one last time to teach them, one last time to warn them.
Now John does not go into detail about what the topic of conversation was at this time, but Luke tells us in his account found Luke 22:24. They were arguing about which one of them would be the greatest in Jesus' kingdom. So John 13:4-5) tells us that Jesus 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.
I think that the significance of this action is lost on us today, but it wasn't on Peter. Peter who once said to Jesus to "go away from me for I am a sinful man"; & "You are the Christ the Son of the living God". Foot washing was one of the most menial tasks that a solve would do. Peter saw Jesus for who Jesus really was and that He was/is God. Jesus is the anointed King that will rule the world. This person whom Peter worshipped was coming to him as the lowest of slaves doing the most menail of tasks and Peter objected to that. But Jesus was teaching through these actions. It is not about who is greatest, but who serves others.
Now when Jesus was through, he explained this to them in verses 12-17. "12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."
Luke adds this thing that Jesus taught them that night and it really ties in with what John tells us. Luke 22:25-27. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 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. 27 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. "
Now I want to point out that Judas was one of them at this point. John had pointed that out in verses 10-11. So Jesus did wash the feet of someone who betrayed Jesus. the verses that i skipped over also point out that Judas was not clean (saved) as the rest of the disciples were.Jesus was teaching that following Him is about serving others.
Now there is one more thing that I read about where people were condemning the cost of the commercial and I found that to be both humorous and tragic. It reminded me of another incident in scriptures. John 12:1-8. "Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. 3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, 5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages." 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. 8 You will always have the poor among you,[c] but you will not always have me.”
I don't write this to tell you what to believe, but to aid and spur you on to learn for yourselves about Jesus the Christ, & the Son of the Living God.
Note: all scripture quoted in this blog post comes from the NIV Bible.
