“Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 NLT
Bible Study – Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples
Warmup Question: What is the last thing you have done for another person?
Scriptural Passage
“Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.
It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.
So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.
When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean.”
“And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.
I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” John 13:1-17 NLT
Context of the Passage
First century travel in Israel was primarily accomplished by walking on dusty roads in sandals. It was always necessary for a pilgrim to wash his feet before a communal meal. Feet washing was always done by the lowliest servant.
Jesus rose to the level of a master teacher and perfect friend. He proceeded to wash his disciples’ feet. It was not miraculous. It was mundane. The plain story is told in John 13:1–17 NLT.
Consensus Meaning of the Passage
Jesus illustrated that even He as “Teacher” and “Lord” or “A Person in any Station in Life, such as Me” could and should humble themselves in service to his fellow man, even to the lowliest task. The result of such true humility gains blessing from God.
Scripture Questions: Why did Jesus wash the feed of his disciples? Peter rejected Jesus’s offer to wash his feet, but changed his mind when he understood the purpose? Is any task too low for another man?
Question from the Heart: What is something that you might do for your fellow man?
SendUsLord implores every reader to “dive deeper” into God’s Word as a life-long goal. Spiritual maturity is the reward.
Are you ready to go and tell God’s story to an unbelieving world?