Jesus Washes the Feet of His Disciples

Key Passage: John 13:12-17

Devotional:

On the night before His betrayal, Jesus did something unexpected. The Son of God, the One through whom all things were made, took a towel, knelt before His disciples, and washed their feet. This was not just an act of kindness; it was a complete role reversal. In first-century Jewish culture, foot-washing was the work of a servant, not a teacher, and certainly not a king. Yet Jesus humbled Himself and took the lowest place.

When He finished, He asked His disciples, “’Do you understand what I have done to you?’” (John 13:12). Then He commanded them, “’If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet’” (v.14).

I am sure this moment was difficult for the disciples to immediately understand. However, Paul expands on what it means in Philippians 2:5-8: “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Jesus didn’t just wash feet; He gave up His divine privileges, stepped into the dirt of our world, and offered Himself up for our salvation.

This is the model He gives us: True greatness is not found in status, power, or recognition, but in humility and sacrificial love. If the King of Kings took on the role of a servant, how much more should we serve one another? To follow Christ means to embrace His posture. We must adopt His heart of humility, lay down our pride, set aside entitlement, and choose obedience no matter the cost. If we are to truly love Christ and understand the Gospel, our lives should be in complete devotion to Him and His mission to seek and save the lost.

Song Reflection: “Friend of sinners/You stooped down to wash my feet/You prepared a place to dine here with me”

Application Question: What is one way you can humble yourself and serve others this week? Further Reading: John 13:12-17; Philippians 2:5-8

Written by Jordan West