Jesus did a lot of unexpected things that challenged the cultural norms of His day— things like touching lepers, hanging out with prostitutes, chasing people out of the temple with a whip. But perhaps the most significant cultural norm He broke was washing His disciples’ feet.
In Jesus’ day, people walked everywhere, the roads weren’t paved, and just moving through life would leave one’s feet absolutely filthy. So upon entering a home, they would take off their sandals and have their feet washed. Footwashing was an unpleasant and menial task reserved for the lowliest of servants. It was so low that all of Jesus’ disciples thought it was beneath them.
But Jesus “rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” (John 13:4-5) John goes into great detail describing this event because it symbolizes the very essence of Jesus’ life and ministry.
Leaving His place of honor at the head of the table was symbolic of leaving His place of glory in heaven. Laying aside His rabbi robes represented how He set aside His status as the 2nd person of the Trinity to become like one of us. Wrapping Himself in a towel demonstrated how He embraced the humble role of the lowliest servant.
Pouring water in a basin illustrated His life being poured out on the cross. Taking the water, washing His disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel signified how His sacrificial death would cleanse us from the filth of sin and that His grace would wipe away every last trace of guilt and shame.
When He was finished, Jesus turned to His disciples and said, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” So how do we practically follow Jesus’ example? Does He want us to physically wash each other’s feet?
We live in a culture that says we have a right to be offended at others. Jesus said we should lay aside our rights. Our culture tells us to stand up for ourselves, but Jesus challenges us to humble ourselves. Our culture tells us to reject those who sin against us. Jesus teaches us to reach for a towel and forgive instead. Let’s break with our culture and forgive no matter the cost.
Is there anyone in your life that you feel it’s beneath you to forgive?
In Jesus’ day, people walked everywhere, the roads weren’t paved, and just moving through life would leave one’s feet absolutely filthy. So upon entering a home, they would take off their sandals and have their feet washed. Footwashing was an unpleasant and menial task reserved for the lowliest of servants. It was so low that all of Jesus’ disciples thought it was beneath them.
But Jesus “rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” (John 13:4-5) John goes into great detail describing this event because it symbolizes the very essence of Jesus’ life and ministry.
Leaving His place of honor at the head of the table was symbolic of leaving His place of glory in heaven. Laying aside His rabbi robes represented how He set aside His status as the 2nd person of the Trinity to become like one of us. Wrapping Himself in a towel demonstrated how He embraced the humble role of the lowliest servant.
Pouring water in a basin illustrated His life being poured out on the cross. Taking the water, washing His disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel signified how His sacrificial death would cleanse us from the filth of sin and that His grace would wipe away every last trace of guilt and shame.
When He was finished, Jesus turned to His disciples and said, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” So how do we practically follow Jesus’ example? Does He want us to physically wash each other’s feet?
We live in a culture that says we have a right to be offended at others. Jesus said we should lay aside our rights. Our culture tells us to stand up for ourselves, but Jesus challenges us to humble ourselves. Our culture tells us to reject those who sin against us. Jesus teaches us to reach for a towel and forgive instead. Let’s break with our culture and forgive no matter the cost.
Is there anyone in your life that you feel it’s beneath you to forgive?
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