Jesus knows that He is moving into the next phase of ministry. He will be facing the cross and leaving His disciples. In a special moment with those who have been walking with Him most closely, He chooses to wash their feet. Why?

Because …

1. Jesus participated in the culture by meeting a practical need. Foot washing was a practice due to long walks on dusty roads. A servant was usually assigned to wash the feet of guests. Meals were spent in a reclining position, making feet more visible.

2. Jesus loved His disciples (even Judas.) He loved His followers and had a deep affection for them. Even so, He did not entrust Himself deeply to everyone. (John 2:24) But in this situation, though perhaps He did not entrust Himself as deeply to all the disciples as He did to Peter, James, and John, He demonstrated love to them equally.

3. Jesus wanted to serve His disciples. It is hard for us to accept that to fully experience life with Jesus, we must welcome Him to serve us. In verse 8, we see Jesus respond strongly to Peter when he first refuses to let Jesus serve him.

4. Jesus wanted to give an example of serving others.

Another component of fully experiencing life with Jesus is to serve others. There are many times when it is appropriate to put our wishes aside for the benefit of others.

5. Jesus was acting out of Who He was—His character was to love and serve. Throughout the book of John, we see evidence of Jesus’ extravagant generosity repeatedly.

What we see in Jesus should cause us to act radically in our lives:
-learning from Someone Who loved deeply and wisely
-receiving well His gifts and service to us
-sharing His love and service to others, including meeting practical needs

Reflection Prompters

1. What practical need(s) have you been involved in meeting for others recently?

2. What do you think it means to love people deeply but not entrust yourself to everyone?

3. Do you have a hard time being served? Think this over. Allow yourself to learn to receive well. Receiving well honors God because He may have prompted someone to do something for you. Don’t stand in the way of the blessing for both of you!

4. What example from this passage means the most to you regarding serving someone else?

5. Truths to meditate on, write out, and pray over:

-Jesus is extravagantly generous to me and others.
-Receiving well honors God.
-Lord, help me watch for ways to serve others.
-Loving someone does not mean you have to entrust your full self to them.
-From the child dedication: May we be image-bearers of the Lord to others, including children, in our lives.