Luke 22:7-34, John 13:3-14, 24,

At Passover Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare a place to have the Passover meal. They were to follow a man carrying a water pot. In those times it was women who fetched the water so this would have been an unusual sight and that a man was doing it probably indicated that he was a servant in a wealthy home. The two disciples saw him, for he stood out in the crowd, and they followed him to a house where they were welcome. When all was ready Jesus and the disciples sat down to eat the Passover meal.

We are told that Jesus now knew he had all power given to him from the Father and that he had come from God and was returning to God. (John 13:3 Good News Bible). If ever there was a time when Jesus had complete affirmation of his total authority it was at this time, but instead of basking in it and lording it over others he arose, laid aside his garments and humbly took a towel and girded himself with it. 

We may miss the significance of this unless we pause and consider what it means. With the confirmation of his power and status, Jesus could have expected the disciples to wash his feet, yet he laid aside his authority and became a servant and, by washing their feet, did the most menial task of all.

Washing feet was a custom at that time because people walked on dusty roads, and their feet became dirty and sore. When people came to a home, a bowl was always provided for them to ease their aching feet. If the home was well-to-do, a servant washed and massaged their feet. If there was no servant, the host would do it himself.

Evidently, this had been overlooked despite there being both a servant and water and so the Lord Himself, King of Heaven and Master of the Universe, took it upon himself to do the task of a lowly servant. He rose, took off his outer garments, and washed the disciple’s feet.

Imagine this scene; twelve disciples with sore aching feet perhaps even blistered by the long walk from Jordan to Jerusalem. One by one Jesus took the feet of each one and tenderly dipped them in the water and washed and massaged life and strength back into them. It is one of the most personal things he could ever have done. Imagine him as he did this taking time to speak personally and intimately with each disciple, to enquire about their health and ask if there was anything they needed.

When Jesus came to Peter, Peter protested, “Lord, are you washing my feet?” (John 13:6-10). Jesus reassured him that although he, Peter, did not understand the full significance of what he was doing he would understand later, but Peter responded “You shall never wash my feet.” Peter had a deep awareness not only of the authority of Jesus but of his own unworthiness. In his mind, to have the Lord wash his feet was out of the question, but was it actually hidden pride in him? Sometimes we are like that, unwilling to accept help from others.

Jesus said “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

Think about those words. Do they seem a little harsh? Jesus was, however, speaking the truth; unless we let him wash us, we can have no part with him. This is the heart of knowing him; we need to acknowledge our sins so that he can cleanse us, forgive and provide us with divine life through his blood, which was shed for the remission of our sins. This is where we must begin, and if people are too proud, self-contained, and reliant upon themselves and do not acknowledge their condition or need, then they can have no part in his riches or grace and will remain in their sins. There is no other means for true and lasting cleansing in our lives.

Having begun we must not stop there but, having received cleansing and new life, we need to allow him to continue to minister to us, care for us, and get into our very innermost being, into our hurting parts and our dirty parts, until we know his cleansing and the depths of his love. Many times as Christians we are too busy doing things, trying to prove our devotion and worthiness to him by serving him, that the Lord can’t get near us and do what he does best and that is to love and care for us. This is part of the process of sanctification that he wants to do in our lives.

It was these words of Jesus that made Peter realise his total need of him and he responded by saying, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head.” Peter’s self-reliance was exposed and he confessed his need for cleansing and healing in every part of his personality and character. Deep down Peter knew his great need for Jesus to be his absolute Lord. This is the greatest personal revelation any person can have. 

It was then that Jesus lovingly reassured him that “a person who is bathed all over does not need to wash except for his feet but is entirely clean”. (John 13:10 New Living Translation). This powerfully illustrates what he meant when he washed the disciples’ feet. Just as feet get dirty as they walk dusty roads, so do we as we live and walk in a defiled and sinful world. We need cleansing and can come daily to our Lord and confess our needs and deeds and be washed, healed, and tenderly have our aching souls massaged and receive new life through his divine love and power. This is what He alone can do.

When Jesus had washed their feet, he put his garments back on and sat down and said, “You call me teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I, then your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you should do as I have done to you”. (John 13:13-15). Notice something significant here: Jesus changed the order the disciples gave him as teacher and Lord to Lord and Teacher. Jesus is far more than a teacher; he is, first and foremost, our Lord. Jesus was not just a teacher going around teaching people but was the Lord who, by word and deed, taught the truth. When he is Lord of our lives, then we will be willing to be servants to each other. We serve him by serving others.

Shortly after this, Jesus mentioned that one of the disciples would betray him and this troubled all the disciples but it was Peter more than any other who wanted to know who it might be and motioned to the disciple John sitting closest to Jesus to ask him. This was, I believe, because Peter was still deeply insecure and more than anyone else doubted himself, and needed reassurance that it was not him. Peter had deep insecurities hidden in his self-pride.

Soon after this, Peter said in his bravado that he would never betray Jesus and was ready to go to prison and death for him. (Mark 13:29-31, Luke 22:31-33, John 13:37-38). Jesus, however, knew Peter’s weakness and forewarned him that he would be sifted as wheat and would deny him three times before the cock crowed twice. However, note that immediately after this warning, Jesus made a most wonderful statement: that he had himself prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail and that the outcome was certain that Peter would be “converted” and then be able to strengthen his brethren.

This is very revealing, in that, not only did Jesus know Peter’s weakness, and even though Peter failed him, the Lord would never fail him or us. Jesus went on to give the most wonderful reassurance that we should not be troubled but should trust in him. (John 14:1-3). “Let not your hearts be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” 

How comforting of Jesus that in the midst of our failures he reassures us of his unfailing love and destiny for each of us.

As we follow the next events in the life of Peter we will discover that he received amazing grace and total restoration from Jesus and became one of the most faithful of all God’s children. 

In our next study we will consider how Peter came through this terrible dark time and how Jesus fulfilled what he had done when he had taken off his Royal garments of power and, stripped of all dignity, became a humble servant to die that we might live. 

What keys can you find in these events? 

Have you opened your heart to Jesus and let Him be fully Lord in your life?