Jesus Washed Their Feet—A Lesson in Humble Love (John 13:1-20)
In John 13:1–20, we read about a powerful moment that happened just before Jesus went to the cross. He didn’t preach a sermon or perform a miracle—instead, He washed His disciples’ feet.
At first, that might sound like a small act. But in Jesus’ time, it was a big deal. It was more than clean feet. It was a lesson in love, humility, and what it really means to follow Him.
Let’s take a closer look.
Jesus Knew the Time Had Come
The story starts by telling us that Jesus knew His time had come. He was about to leave this world and return to the Father. The cross was just ahead. But before that happened, Jesus wanted to show His disciples how much He loved them.
“Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.” (v. 1)
Even with all the pain He was about to face, Jesus was focused on love.
The Unexpected Servant
While the disciples were eating the Passover meal, something surprising happened.
Jesus got up from the table, took off His outer clothing, tied a towel around His waist, poured water into a bowl, and began to wash His disciples’ feet. (v. 4–5)
In those days, roads were dusty and people wore sandals. Feet got dirty fast. Usually, a servant—the lowest person in the house—would do the washing. It was a job no one wanted.
But here was Jesus, the Son of God, doing it Himself.
Peter’s Reaction
When Jesus got to Peter, Peter was shocked.
“Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” (v. 6)
Peter didn’t think this was right. He didn’t feel comfortable letting Jesus act like a servant. But Jesus told him:
“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” (v. 8)
Peter quickly changed his mind. He said, “Then wash all of me!”
Jesus explained that this foot-washing wasn’t just about being physically clean—it was about being spiritually clean. It was a symbol of the deeper cleansing that comes from trusting Him.
A Lesson in Love and Humility
After He finished washing their feet, Jesus put His clothes back on and sat down.
Then He asked them:
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” (v. 12)
He went on to explain that He, their Lord and Teacher, had served them, and now they should serve one another.
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (v. 15)
Jesus wasn’t just telling them what to do—He showed them.
What This Means for Us
This moment is more than a story about foot washing. It’s a powerful reminder for all of us today:
-
Real love is humble. Jesus, who had all the power in the universe, chose to serve. He didn’t just talk about love—He demonstrated it.
-
No task is too small. Helping others, even in simple ways, matters deeply to God.
-
We’re called to serve. Jesus invites us to love people not just with words, but with actions.
“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (v. 17)
Jesus didn’t say, “You’ll be blessed if you understand this,” but “if you do it.”
Final Thought:
Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, including the feet of Judas—the one who would betray Him. That’s the kind of love He showed, and that’s the kind of love He calls us to give.
Let’s follow His example: Love deeply. Serve humbly. Live like Jesus.
John 13:1-20 (WEB)
13:1 Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, 4 arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”7 Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!”Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”10 Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” 12 So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. 14 If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. 16 Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’ 19 From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he. 20 Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”