1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour 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.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 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.
6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
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.
Read John 13:1-17 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!
As John’s gospel describes the last supper Jesus had with the disciples on the night He was betrayed, John shares an interesting set of verses that give us a big clue into Jesus’ character and His motivation for what was about to happen over the next 24 hour time period.
During this meal, John tells us: “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.” (v. 3-5)
This set of verses is amazing in my mind for a number of reasons. First, John tells us in verse 3 that “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power”. Reading this verse makes me a little curious: Did Jesus not have all things under His power prior to this point at the end of His ministry? Was the Father holding power back from Jesus while Jesus worked and ministered to the people?
While there are many questions I could ask about this one verse in John’s gospel, regardless of how or when Jesus received all things under His power, John tells us that at this point in His ministry, Jesus knew that all things were under His power. Reading what comes next is powerful.
Immediately after this realization, Jesus gets up, takes His outer garment off, and begins moving around the room washing the disciples’ feet. The most powerful Person in the room (Jesus) was taking the role of the least valued and least important servant.
Not only do these verses impress me about Jesus’ humility, but as we read the rest of the crucifixion event, it is powerful to think that everything that happens is chosen by Jesus. We know this because of what John initially says: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power”. (v. 3a)
Jesus chose the cross for you and for me. At the point when He realized He had been given the greatest amount of power, He chooses to humbly take on the role of a servant. Jesus is not interested in exercising His power and position over us. Instead, Jesus wants to serve us as a way of inspiring us to have a relationship with Him.
This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!
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