January 16, 2025 – Life in Community: Part 2- John 13:1-17
John 13:1-17 describes Jesus washing the feet of his disciples during the Last Supper. This act of humility and service teaches us about love, worship, and respect.
What happens?
Jesus rises from the table, removes his outer garments, and ties a towel around his waist
He pours water into a basin and washes the feet of his disciples
He wipes their feet with the towel
What does it mean?
Jesus demonstrates his love for his disciples
He shows his humility and servanthood
He forgives sinners
He instructs his disciples to wash each other’s feet
He gives his disciples a high calling as his representatives
He suggests that loving as he has loved means taking the role of a servant
Why is it significant?
In the first century, people ate reclining at low tables, and feet were very visible
Washing feet was usually done by slaves, and it was a mark of honor for a host to provide a servant to wash a guest’s feet
Speaker: Rev. Jimmy Criddle
John 13:1-17
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Jesus Washes the Disciples’ Feet
13 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already decided[a] that Judas son of Simon Iscariot would betray Jesus. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet,[b] but is entirely clean. And you[c] are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had reclined again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, slaves are not greater than their master, nor are messengers[d] greater than the one who sent them. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
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