Transcript

A large group of European pastors came to one of D. L. Moody’s Northfield Bible Conferences in Massachusetts in the late 1800s.

Following the European custom of the time, each guest put his shoes outside his room to be cleaned by the hall servants overnight. But of course this was America and there were no hall servants.

Walking the dormitory halls that night, Moody saw the shoes and determined not to embarrass his brothers in Christ. He mentioned the need to some ministerial students who were there, but this was met with only silence or excuses.

Moody returned to the dorm, gathered up the shoes, and, alone in his room, the evangelist began to clean and polish the shoes. Only the unexpected arrival of a friend in the midst of the work revealed the secret. When the foreign visitors opened their doors the next morning, their shoes were shined. They never knew by whom, and Moody told no one.

This episode is a vital insight into how God used D. L. Moody as He did. He was a man with a servant’s heart, willing to do whatever needed done.

Having a humble, servant’s heart is to imitate and be like the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who as Philippians 2 says “made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

We also see the Lord’s humble, servant’s heart when He washed His disciples’ feet. But what did the Lord intend to teach when He washed their feet?

Did Christ institute foot washing as an ordinance that we are to literally re-enact today?

Or did He wash His disciples’ feet to set an example of individual humble, selfless service that He desires out of believers? We’ll answer these questions in this episode.

John 13:1-3: “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.

“And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God.”

Here we find that it is “before the feast of the Passover.” This was THE Passover when the true Passover lamb would be sacrificed and shed His blood.

At the Passover, Israel remembered their deliverance by God from bondage in Egypt, but at this Passover, a greater deliverance would take place for Israel, a deliverance by God from their spiritual bondage in being set free from their sins.

The Lord and His disciples are in a large furnished upper room, where they prepared and ate the Passover Supper together. This supper has come to be known as the Last Supper.

For this supper an approved, unblemished lamb was slain for the meal and roasted. With the roasted lamb they prepared unleavened bread and a paste of bitter herbs.

The Lord was now hours away from His crucifixion, and as verse 1 says, He “knew that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father.”

Everything Christ did was based in love. He had come into the world because of His love for all. Now He would depart out of this world because of His love for all, through His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back to the Father in heaven.

And speaking of His disciples, verse 1 says that He “loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end.” “Unto the end” does not mean to the end of His life and ministry here on the earth, but to the uttermost degree, to the fullest extent, to completion with a perfect love. And He was about to demonstrate this.

In verse 2, the Lord and the disciples had finished eating the Passover supper, and it says that “the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot…to betray Him.”

Selfless love and selfishness are put in stark contrast here between verses 1 and 2: the love of Christ and the selfishness of Judas.

The other Gospel records speak of Satan entering wicked Judas and of his meeting with the Jewish leaders and making the agreement to betray Christ for thirty pieces of silver, all BEFORE the Passover supper.

Verse 2 here tells us the devil put the betrayal of Christ into Judas’ heart and prompted it. He sowed the thought in the heart of Judas that now the time was right to betray Christ.

Then later on in this chapter in verse 27, we find that Satan again entered Judas in order to carry out the betrayal.

But as verse 3 shows, Christ was not unaware of what was transpiring around Him and that as the hour of crisis was approaching He remained fully aware and conscious of His authority, His divine origin and destiny, and the purpose of His coming to the world.

The Father had GIVEN all things into His hands, giving Him authority to give life and execute judgment as John 5:26,27 says, “so hath [the Father] GIVEN to the Son to have life in Himself; And hath GIVEN Him authority to execute judgment also.”

As the Son of God, Christ is sovereign God, all powerful, with all authority and power vested in Him and in His hands.

He knew where He came from and He knew where He was going. He is the eternal Son who came from the Father and His glorious presence in heaven, and He was going back to the Father in heaven. He knew that the time had come for Him to die, rise again, and go back to heaven.

Christ was master of the situation around Him, fully aware of what was going on behind the scenes with Judas and Satan.

He was fully aware of the approaching Cross and He willingly allowed it all to transpire. And He was also fully aware that the disciples needed to be taught by His example.

One commentator wrote: “John is about to describe a situation in which Jesus took on a very lowly position. But the apostle [and the Spirit] does not want the reader to forget that the highest possible place is Jesus’ by divine right.”

John reminds us in verse 3 that Christ is Lord and God and over all, to reveal the magnitude of this event.

John 13:4-5: “He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”

After they’d finished the Passover meal, Christ rose from the table. The custom at that time was that they reclined on cushions around a low table when they ate.

The Lord stood up from sitting and reclining around this low table. And He laid aside His outer cloak or robe, and took a towel and wrapped it around His waist.

Now in Israel, the region and roads were dusty and dirty, and walking around in sandals it didn’t take long before their feet would be dusty and dirty.

And when it rained, the roads turned to liquid slush, and they’d be covered with mud. So living in these conditions, it necessitated the need for foot-washing as a practical, normal, everyday practice and custom.

There was nothing religious about it. It was a practical thing and common courtesy.

In homes with servants, they were assigned to this task, and it was a menial job reserved for the lowliest of servants on the totem pole in the household. Wives and children were also known to do it if a home could not afford a slave.

To attend to the feet was an act of humility and servitude. As I’m sure you understand, it wasn’t a pleasant thing to have to do, because you had to deal with foul-smelling feet covered with sweat, road grime, dust, and mud.

No servants from this home where the Lord and the disciples were at, were present at the last Supper, but the water basin for washing feet was available.

None of the disciples volunteered to wash each other’s feet, and it’s probably because of what we read was occurring from the other Gospel records at this same time.

Luke 22:24 says, “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.”

Charles Swindoll writes, “The room was filled with proud hearts and dirty feet. The disciples were willing to fight for a throne, but not for a towel.”

None were willing to stoop to wash feet because to do so would have been an admission of inferiority, and they weren’t about to do this because they were arguing about who was the greatest of them, and who would be the greatest in the kingdom and who would have the greatest positions in its government!

But then the Son of God, the Greatest of all, stood up, and in inconceivable humility, rebuking their pride, took off His cloak, wrapped a towel around His waist, poured water into a basin and began to wash each of the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel.

The One of whom John the Baptist said, “He it is…whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose,” unlatched the shoe latchet of each of the disciples, took them off and washed and cleaned the feet of each one of them.

Put yourself in this profound scene. One writer paints the picture for us: “It had been a long day. Jerusalem is packed with Passover guests…The spring sun is warm. The streets are dry. And the disciples are a long way from home.

“The disciples enter, one by one, and take their places around the table. On the wall hangs a towel, and on the floor sits a pitcher and a basin.

“Any one of the disciples could volunteer for the job, but not one does. After [supper], Jesus stands and removes His outer garment. He wraps a servant’s girdle around His waist, takes up the basin, and kneels before one of the disciples.

“He unlaces a sandal and gently lifts the foot and places it in the basin, covers it with water, and begins to bathe it. One by one; one grimy foot after another, Jesus works His way down the row, washing all 24 of them.

“In Jesus’ day the washing of feet was a task reserved not just for servants but for the lowest of servants. The servant at the bottom of the totem pole was expected to be the one with the towel and basin.

“In this case, the One with the towel and basin is the King of the universe. Hands that shaped the stars now wash away filth. And the One before whom all will one day kneel now kneels before His disciples.

“Hours before His own death, Jesus’ concern is singular. He wants His disciples to know how much He loves them. More than removing dirt, Jesus is removing doubt.”

And for us, when we think of the Cross, and we think of Christ’s selfless sacrifice to die on the cross as the payment for all our sins, all doubt is removed as to Christ’s love for you, for me, and for all people, because He died for all.

Christ’s actions in verses four and five are a picture what He did when He left heaven to come to earth. Like He arose from the table, Christ arose from His throne. Like He laid aside His garments, He laid aside the outward expression of His glory and majesty.

Like He took a towel and girded Himself, He became a Servant. Like He washed the disciples’ feet and wiped them with the towel, He humbled Himself.

Warren Wiersbe once wrote, “Jesus was Sovereign, yet He took the place of a servant. He had all things in His hands, yet He picked up and held a towel. He was Lord and Master, yet He served His followers.”

In Mark 10:43-45, the Lord told His disciples, “but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: and whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister…”

We’re each called to this as believers as we follow Christ. We’re called to be servants and to minister to others, and to follow our Savior’s example of humility and selfless love.

Service is at the very essence of the Christian life. Greatness is measured by our heart of service and our willingness to humbly stoop and bow low to help others.

And as we stoop low, we live on higher ground, because we are more like our Savior.

As we see here in this account, it’s been said well, “Authentic service is sparked by immediate need, not the convenience of energy, schedule, or especially social norms and expectations.” Social norms and expectations go out the window when you serve and love others like Christ. We do what needs done to help anyone and everyone.

This passage teaches us that in being a humble servant, our service is to be expressed equally to all and anyone. It doesn’t discriminate. The Lord washed the feet of ALL the disciples, including Judas. Judas had not left the upper room yet.

Later, in verse 30, is when he left. So we learn that Christ even washed the feet of the one He knew would betray Him that very night. Think of Christ at the feet of the traitor. What lessons we can learn from it! It is a picture of unconditional love and grace.

Christ washed those 24 feet because there was a need. They were dirty and needed washing and He met that need and washed them.

And He didn’t line the disciples up in order of closeness or loyalty. He washed the feet of all of them without favoritism or partiality. That is how we are to serve others as well.

Like Christ, we are to be willing to serve and meet the needs of anyone and everyone, without favoritism or partiality, by God’s unconditional love and grace.

John 13:6-11: “Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto Him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

“Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.”

As the Master approached Peter to wash his feet, as Peter often did, he impulsively reacted. He challenged and questioned the Lord, literally saying, “Lord! YOU are washing MY feet?”

He was in essence, saying, “Lord, never in all eternity should you wash my feet!” or “Do you, God’s Son, perform the work of a servant, toward me, a sinner?”

And when we think of the Cross, the same sense of astonishment should be ours, “Lord, YOU, the Holy One, God’s only Son, you died for ME, a sinner, for my sins?” The humility, love, and kindness of Christ toward us should amaze us, like it amazed Peter.

And Peter, revering the Lord, protested, feeling that He should not lower Himself in doing such a thing. The Lord responded to Peter telling him that what He was doing Peter did not know or understand now, but he would afterwards. Peter saw the action, but did not catch the design or intent of it.

The intent the Lord meant He would explain, and He would also demonstrate in His death, and is something Peter would learn and “know hereafter,” or after Christ’s resurrection and ascension, and it is that of servitude, humility, and love.

The Lord just told Peter that it had a purpose and meaning for his life, but Peter still protested out of his reverence for Christ, telling Him, “Thou shalt never wash my feet.” That word “never” means not for eternity.

But then the Lord told him, that if He did not wash him, that Peter had no part of Him.

Meaning that as Christ washed their feet, He was serving and Christ had come for this very purpose to minister. So to refuse His service was to reject His Person and ministry and to have no part with Him and not know Him or be like Him.

Peter was uncertain of the meaning, but he was certain he wanted to be joined to Christ always. He was horrified at the thought of having no part with Christ.

So if Christ washing his feet was necessary to be joined to Him, Peter impetuously tells Him to please do this and take it a step or two further and wash my hands and head too! Dump the whole basin of water over top of me!

But the Lord told him it wasn’t necessary to bathe his whole person, when he was clean and only had dirty feet.

Peter was now clean physically head to foot having his feet washed, just like he was completely clean spiritually because he believed in who Christ was as Israel’s Messiah and the Son of God, and thus he completely belonged to the Lord.

Then Christ points out that not all of them were clean and belonged to Him, however, referring to Judas, who had rejected Christ and the eternal life and cleansing He gives.

We are shown in verse 11 that Christ as God knew Judas would betray Him even after he received this poignant act of grace.

John 13:12-17: “So after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, and was set down again, He said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”

After the Lord had washed all the disciples’ feet, including Judas, an unbeliever who was not clean spiritually, Christ put His outer cloak back on, returned to the table and sat down again, and then asked them a question.

He asked “Know ye what I have done to you?” He asks if they understood the meaning and significance of what He had done. Then He explained.

Christ referred to how they addressed Him with honorable titles of respect, acknowledging His authority, calling Him “Master” or Teacher, and “Lord.”

And these titles were appropriate, Christ says, and were correct and in keeping with His Person and position. He tells them then if He as their Master and Lord, who had every right to command their service, instead served them, met their needs and washed their feet, so they should be willing to do the same thing for each other.

The Lord told them in verse 15 that He had given them “an example” to follow. He did not establish an ordinance of foot-washing for acceptance with God as is taught by some.

Foot-washing being required as an ordinance overlooks the point. Christ was emphasizing the heart and INNER humility not an OUTWARD, physical, religious rite.

The Lord told His disciples “AS I have done to you” not “WHAT I have done to you” is what is to be imitated. His action in washing their feet was a model of loving humility and voluntary servitude to be imitated in their lives and ministries, in serving others and meeting needs.

Christ was giving His disciples an example to pattern their lives after, calling on them to follow His pattern of humble service that He illustrated in the foot-washing. He simply desired His disciples to acquire the attitude and mindset that His action displayed.

Foot-washing is not something we need to do in the Church for two reasons. First, because Christ was simply setting an example of selfless service that manifests itself in countless other ways.

Second, this is instruction for Israel. It’s truth for them and how Christ wanted believing Israel to live during the seven-year Tribulation and in His millennial kingdom.

However, under grace, we, the Body of Christ, do find a beautiful principle and picture for us to remind us what God desires in our lives too, as we walk in Christ’s love and serve others like Him.

In verse 16, the Lord says “verily, verily,” or these words are trustworthy and sure, that the servant is not greater than his lord, nor is the one sent greater than He that sent him.

And so if their Lord, which is Christ, humbly serves, how much more ought His followers to humbly serve others.

And as He became a servant, He dignified service and sacrifice and we enter into that dignity as we are like Him and serve also. The servant must follow the example of their Master and the sent one must follow the instruction of the One who sent him.

The Lord then says “if you know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” I like this!

There is blessing in knowing the Word, but there is greater blessing in doing it, in living it.

It’s great and important to know doctrine, the teaching of God’s Word, but “knowledge puffeth up” the Word says, and we need to put what we know into practice.

God is concerned about our responses to what we know, and He tells us there is lasting happiness in doing and living out what He has instructed and what we know. Joy is tied to faith, obedience and application of the Word.

Christ was telling them that it wasn’t enough just to “know” of the importance of humble, love-filled service, they needed to do it and put it into practice, and as they did they would find extraordinary joy and blessing for their life.

And as we live out the instruction of God’s Word and follow Christ’s example of serving others and making that a way of life, our lives will be transformed by grace.