“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded” (John 13:3-5).

In the hours leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus gathered with His disciples. Much of the time was spent teaching to prepare them for what was to come and how they were to carry out the work He called them to do (John 13-16). However, He also did something that likely seemed surprising, given the circumstances – He washed their feet. This was an act of humility that was designed to teach them a lesson:

“So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you’” (John 13:12-15).

When Jesus told them to “do as [He] did” and “wash one another’s feet,” did He mean that this was a practice to be passed on to every future generation in the church? Are we to “wash one another’s feet” today?Continue Reading