Our community group has been working through the book of John, and last week, we discussed John 13. We used our imagination to envision what the scene around the table in the Upper Room must have been like.
Jesus washes the disciples’ feet
As Jesus gathered with His disciples for the Passover meal, He did something unexpected—He took a water basin, knelt down, and began washing their feet (John 13:1-17). This was the work of a servant, not a king. Yet, Jesus, knowing He had all authority from the Father, chose to serve.
Peter, stunned, resisted. “Lord, do you wash my feet?” (v. 6). Jesus replied, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand” (v. 7). Can you imagine their questions – what do you mean, “afterward??” After what?
More than an act of humility, Jesus washing feet was a picture of our more profound need. When Peter insisted that Jesus should never wash him, Jesus responded, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me” (v. 8). This pointed beyond physical cleansing to the spiritual cleansing only Christ can provide.
At salvation, we are cleansed completely
Jesus washes us completely at salvation, through His sacrifice but we still need daily cleansing. Just as our feet get dirty walking through life, our hearts are stained by interacting with our broken world. Jesus told Peter, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean” (v. 10). We are justified once, but we continually return to Christ in confession, allowing Him to purify us (1 John 1:7-9).
This cleansing comes through Christ’s Word: “…that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” (Ephesians 5:26). God’s Word continually purifies and renews us, shaping us into Christ’s image (2 Timothy 3:16-17). As we put off the old self and put on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24), we pursue holiness, “bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
All of life is repentance
Luther said all of life is repentance. We don’t see our sins all at once. With the Spirit’s help, we peel away each layer, much like peeling away the leaves of an artichoke, getting closer each time to the heart of the matter.
As we reflect on this Lenten season, let’s remember our ongoing need for His cleansing and our call to serve others. “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (v. 14). Serving others in love is not just an act of kindness—it is an expression of the cleansing and grace we have received.
Here are three ways we can serve others humbly, following Jesus’ example:
- Listen well – Give others your full attention without interrupting, offering comfort and understanding.
- Encourage and pray – Speak words of encouragement, write a note, or pray for someone without them asking.
- Forgive freely – Show grace to those who wrong us, remembering how Christ has forgiven us.
“Blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).
