TEXT: John 13:1-17

SUBJECT: Exposition of John #32: The Footwashing

If the Bible contains a passage more humbling and more instructive than this one, I haven't read it. It, like the rest of John's Gospel, was written to make you know and to believe that "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God". If it doesn't, I don't know what will. God bless it to our souls, for Christ's sake. Amen.

The Apostle begins his story in the usual way--with the details. The events took place "before the Feast of Passover". The sacred holiday puts our Lord into a reflective mood.

The nearness of His death comes to mind, of course. His "hour had come". He would be crucified at dawn.

What would lead to His death? He's thinking of that too: "The devil, having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him". Our Lord knows what Judas will do, but that doesn't soften the blow in the least; no, it makes it much harder! It was, after all, His "own familiar friend in whom [He] trusted, who ate [His] bread, [that] lifted up his heel against [Him]."

The glory that lay beyond the cross. He would soon "depart from this world to the Father". And this departure would put "all things into His hands". The cross must give way to the crown; the Carpenter from Galilee must soon be enthroned at God's Right Hand, acclaimed "King of kings and Lord of Lords". A heady thought, to be sure--but it doesn't go to His head. Why not? Because He understands the nature of leadership. To Him, "Lordship" is but another word for "Servanthood".

This turns His thoughts toward the disciples whom "He loved to the end". The "end" does not refer to our Lord's life, but to His love--i.e., He "loved His own...to the full". His love must be proven. But how? What is the surest proof of love? Our Lord knows: "Greater love has no one than this, to lay down one's life for his friends". He'll do that!

At the moment, however, it's not called for. Right now, the disciples don't need an atoning sacrifice, what they need is someone to wash their feet! Love is not heroic; it is practical. Egotism wants the grand gesture, love is satisfied with the dirty feet.

Our Lord isn't "loving in word and in tongue", but "in deed and in truth". What follows is proof of His love and a challenge to His disciples.

The footwashing, vv.4-10.

John provides a detailed sequence of events. "After supper [our Lord] rose, laid aside His garments, took a towel, girded Himself [with it], poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel..."

The details are given to make us understand that this is no fable or allegory; John is "telling it like it is". The Lord of Glory is doing the work of a menial servant!

Peter is deeply offended! Rabbis don't wash the feet of their students. But there's more to the footwashing than meets the eye. Our Lord urges patience: "What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will know after this". But Peter remains firm: "Lord, You shall never wash my feet!"

Why would he protest so loudly? On one level, Peter is concerned with good manners. Nothing wrong with that, of course. His problem, though, lies deeper than this: He's thinking like a Gentile.

Gentiles claw their way to the top; Jesus Christ claws His way to the bottom! His disciples--like Peter and us--must learn that lesson. And learn it now! If we don't, our Lord warns us, we "have no part with [Him]". I don't think this is a doctrinal statement, but a more practical one. Our Lord is not saying, in effect: "If you're selfish, you're not in union with Christ". What He means is this: "Fellowship with Christ requires a servant's mentality".

If letting our Lord wash his feet keeps them in fellowship, Peter wants that and more--"How about a bath, Lord?" No. He doesn't need one, for "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you". Peter and ten of his friends are "clean"; one, however, is not--Judas--whom our Lord knows is the traitor. This indicates something about the footwashing. It points to the cross and to the spiritual cleansing it provides. But this is not the main point of the text, and shouldn't be pursued too far. Later? Yes, but not now.

The Explanation, vv.12-17.

The footwashing mystifies our Lord's dear friends. Does it signify anything more than clean feet? Yes it does. Our Lord explains it in vv.12-17.

He reminds them who He is and His relationship to them. "You call Me `Teacher' and `Lord', and you say well, for so I am". Make no mistake about it: Jesus is the Boss! He has worn His authority rather lightly before, but now He emphasizes it.

But for what reason? It's not to force their respect or compliance. He stresses His authority to make a very different point: "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet".

In other words, if our Lord is not too "lordly" to serve his people's needs--their grimiest, stinkiest needs, no less--then we mustn't be either. He set, "an example, that you should do as I have done to you". If the Master serves, what's the slave to do? If the Sender serves, what's the errand boy to do? Rule? Of course not! The disciples of Christ are to imitate their Lord by "loving one another"--through quiet and heartfelt service.

"Serving one another in love" is not always easy; it's sometimes a thankless job. But don't worry, if you do it, you won't be the loser for it. Our Lord attaches a promise to the duty: "If you know these things, happy are you if you do them". Preaching up "love" won't make you happy. Practicing it will. We have the Lord's word on it.

How? Some ideas:

It will give you something to do. It's possible to be overworked. That is bad. The only thing worse than that is being underworked or idle. Boredom is very hurtful to body and soul. If you commit yourself to serve others in love, you won't be idle for long. There is always something for a servant to do! One can "preach out of season", but he can't "serve out of season" because the season for serving never ends.

It will give you something worth doing. Pastors often hear the complaint: "I don't feel valued at church!" We pat the hand and say, "Oh Dearie, we all love you so!" But what we're thinking is: "If you did something constructive, you'd be more valued!" The quota for griping is filled to overflowing. But--not to worry--the opening for servant has plenty of vacancies.

It will help others. The footwashing was more than a help, of course, but it was a help. It refreshed the disciples and made them feel better. Your service will help others, too. And it needn't be distinctly religious! The sister who watched my children and the brother who dug my fence post holes performed acts of spiritual service! They did me good. And more than me: "Inasmuch as you did it to the least of these My servants, you did it unto Me".

It will do you good by bringing you into closer fellowship with Jesus Christ, Whose "Presence is the fullness of joy".

And who knows what the Lord Jesus will do with your puny efforts? The One who feeds 5,000 with a boy's lunch, can turn your service into something far greater than you can "ask or think".

Serving has its reward. Often in this life. Always in the life to come. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; they rest from their labors and their works do follow them".

This is the lesson our Lord would have us to learn from His example: "Serve one another in love". It's a lesson we need to learn; need to learn over and over again.

Is there anything else in the passage for us? Yes there is. John included it in His Gospel, after all, to help us "Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God". Does the footwashing point to His Divinity? You better believe it!

The Old Testament Scripture portray God as Transcendent--Lord of Heaven and Earth! "Heaven is My throne, the earth is My footstool" He says.

But this is not all. The God who is Transcendent--above us--is no less Immanent!--with us. With us in what capacity? As our Servant! He is the Nurse to those who need food; He is the Security Guard to those who need defending; He is the Guide to those who need direction. And what are nurses and guards and guides but Servants?

When our Lord claims His Lordship and then washes our feet, He's making one thing perfectly clear: "Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God". It's high time to receive His service and to submit to His Lordship. Let's do it.