Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. (John 13:3-4 NLT)
Did I Miss Something?
It’s Thursday, the day before Passover, and Jesus has gathered together with His disciples in an upper room for one last meal. And as act of service, an act of humility, he takes the role of the lowest servant in a household and washes the disciples’ feet. And to make sure they understand what was going on, He teaches:
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. (John 13:12-15)
This is huge. The Creator of all things, the One who holds it all together (cf. Col 1:15-17), washes the disciples’ feet and tells them:
I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
So did they? Well, not at first. Jesus had just served the bread and the wine, and plainly stated:
“This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.” (Luke 22:20)
He goes on to say:
“But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. For it has been determined that the Son of Man must die. But what sorrow awaits the one who betrays him.” (Luke 22:21)
It was here they began asking, “Am I the one?”
Let’s recap. The creator of the universe washes the disciple’s feet. And tells them to do the same. He reminds them (again) He is going to die. He is going to be betrayed (at least here they responded). And what’s the very next thing?
Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. (Luke 22:24)
You’d like to think the disciples get it, that they were listening. But this question has been burning in their hearts for some time. Yet even in the midst of this holy Last Supper, they have to ask.
A question we need to ask ourselves is: “Did I miss something?” And the most likely answer is: “Yeah, I did.” If there is an example we need to follow in this day and age it’s this: I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
Be a servant of the Most High God. Our world needs to see it. Our world needs it.
