With Dale Ratzlaff
John 13:12-20
You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, “HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.” From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
After washing the disciple’s feet, including both Peter and Judas, Jesus said,
Do you know what I have done to you?
This question implies much. Sure, the disciples knew that Jesus had washed their feet. Therefore, what Jesus is doing is asking them to contemplate what He did and to look for the deeper meaning. Jesus, however, was not concerned about the dust on their feet; rather, there was a much deeper significance to His actions.
You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.
If one were to take literally that Jesus meant we should have a required repeated foot-washing service, several problems arise. First, the foot-washing Jesus did, as pointed out in the last study, had soteriological effects. In essence, Jesus said that if you had previously accepted Christ as Savior and Lord, you had “bathed,” and then one only needed to have his feet “washed,” and one would be entirely clean. Therefore, the washing symbolized sins which had been committed after the new-birth experience, or more precisely, sins of which one was unaware. If this soteriological effect was carried over into a prescribed foot-washing service, it would soon turn into a method whereby one could get forgiveness of sins for participating in such a service. This would be fertile ground for a works righteousness, something foreign to new covenant faith. What took place when Jesus washed the disciple’s feet was done by the Lord, Himself, who had divine power to forgive sins.
A second potential problem with a foot-washing service is to narrow the scope of humility. Washing another’s feet is only an example of humble service that should be present in all of Christian life.
Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
Here, Jesus gives the reason why we should follow His example of humility. If we do not treat others with humility, as in washing feet or in refusing to participate in any lowly service, we are in essence, perhaps unknowingly, expressing that our status is higher than Jesus. We would be communicating that we were greater than Jesus who sent us.
If we know that lowly service in no way diminishes us in our work, or in the sight of God, then this service will make us feel blessed as we serve others. “Do them”—the lowly acts of service—is in the continuous tense indicating that we should “keep doing” the things that serve others. We will be blessed and have a sense of joy in so doing.
I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘HE WHO EATS MY BREAD HAS LIFTED UP HIS HEEL AGAINST ME.’
Earlier in John’s gospel, we read that Jesus did choose Judas.
Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?” Now He meant Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray Him (Jn. 6:70-71).
Judas had the opportunity to see, hear, and believe, but excluded himself. The Scripture quoted by Jesus gives us much additional insight. The Scripture Jesus quoted is Psalm 91:10:
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.
The same thought is stated in Psalm 55:12-14.
For it is not an enemy who reproaches me, Then I could bear it; nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me, then I could hide myself from him. But it is you, a man my equal, my companion and my familiar friend; we who had sweet fellowship together walked in the house of God in the throng.
David doubtless has Ahithophel in mind. He at one time had king David’s confidence. Then he turned traitor and joined in rebellion with Absalom and developed a scheme that would destroy David (see 2 Sam. 16-17:4).
Now when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and arose and went to his home, to his city, and set his house in order, and strangled himself; thus he died and was buried in the grave of his father (2 Sam. 17:23).
From the insight gained in these Old Testament references, it appears that Jesus was making a parallel between the traitor, Ahithophel, and Judas. Both had the companionship of their king. Both turned against their king. Both realized their mistake too late. Both committed suicide. These two examples demonstrate in a powerful way the result of turning one’s back from saving truth. If one not only opposes truth, but works to support error and oppose God, the terrible results are appalling indeed.
From now on I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.
God wants us to express our faith in Him. However, He does not ask us to use “blind faith” that has no supporting foundation. The disciples might have been very discouraged when they saw Judas become a trader and witnessed atrocious events leading to the cross. However, they had Christ’s prophetic word. The same holds true for the destruction of Jerusalem. The many parables Christ gave the Jewish leaders such as the vine, and the wedding feast fell on ears unwilling to hear and submit to the word of Christ. When Abraham was told to offer his son on the mount, his obedience was not blind faith, for he had seen God work in his life, time and time again. So should it be with us. When facing a decision to follow the will of God, we can look back at our journey with the Lord, which strengthens us to follow God’s will even if at the time we have unanswered questions. Young Christians in the faith may look at the examples of other Christians and to the witness of Scripture. Jesus wants us to believe that He is God. When we see prophecy fulfilled, Jesus said, “you may believe that I am He.” This is another I AM statement in John with overtones of divinity.
Truly, truly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
The illustration or acted parable of Christ washing the disciple’s feet teaches us that humility and a strong sense of our worth in Christ are both to be encouraged. Jesus will soon give the disciples—now Apostles—the gospel commission, sending them out to evangelize the world. They have the promise that as they are received by others, these “others” are actually receiving Christ! What a high calling, privilege, and responsibility have been entrusted to them and to us! As we spread the good news, those who respond to the gospel call given by us, not only receive Christ, but God the Father as well. Elsewhere we learn that the Holy Spirit is also involved and received by the word of faith (see Rom. 8:8-16). To realize that we are partners with God in the spread of the gospel is a concept worth much thought and meditation.
Application
- As we read through Scriptures, especially the gospels, and come across the words of Jesus, we would do well not to hasten over them quickly, but to pause and contemplate what Jesus is saying. Seek to discover what might be a deeper insight or application.
- If some of our readers are still in a church which practices foot-washing, there is nothing wrong with continued participation. Remember, however, that there is no merit in so doing. Also, realize that real humility is not expressed in a ritual, but in the multitude of everyday acts.
- We would do well to examine our own lives as to the motive for our service. Do we serve out of obligation or willing commitment?
- There is great danger in taking the stand against God. God forbid that we would ever do such a thing!
Prayer
Father, thank you for the service Christ gave to the disciples when He washed their feet. Make me truly humble, willing to serve in any capacity you desire. May my service be from the heart, not seeking merit, but experiencing the joy of walking with Christ guided by your Spirit. May I share the truth of the gospel in ways that others will see your great love and desire that all come to repentance and find eternal life by believing in Christ.
In Jesus name.
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