Will Kynes, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, Samford University
A Life of Humble Service
John 13:3–10; 14–16
In his history of Alabama Baptists, Wayne Flynt lists foot-washing as one of the first (of many) issues over which Baptists in the yet-to-be-recognized state of Alabama divided.
In the early 19th century, some Baptists claimed that Jesus’ command in John 13:14, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet,” was perfectly clear and should be obeyed literally. Others disagreed. At least one church, First Baptist Church Wetumpka, after holding a conference on the issue in 1823, nearly split over the matter.
Jesus’ behavior in John 13 is so radical, it’s not surprising it created division. This passage, however, raises a more pressing spiritual question than even whether or not foot-washing should be added as a third church ordinance (in addition to baptism and the Lord’s Supper, as some groups like Primitive Baptists believe).
It forces us to ask ourselves why we find following Jesus’ example so difficult. As we see with Peter, our response to His extreme humility says a great deal about what we think about ourselves, and about what Jesus accomplished on our behalf.
Jesus models humble service. (3–5)
The text begins with the remarkable claim that Jesus “knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God.” Believing that Jesus is God, it is easy to forget that since He also was fully human, He would have to come to understand His divine status. It’s unclear from the Gospels how exactly He gained that knowledge, but John here affirms that He had it.
After this astounding claim about Jesus’ superior authority and divine nature, the next verse could not be more unexpected. The Son of God strips off His outer clothing and washes His disciples’ feet. The Lord of all takes on the humble role of a servant.
It’s easy to over spiritualize this, so it’s helpful to imagine concretely what was involved: feet caked with the mud of dust and sweat and the eventual filthiness of both the water in the basin and the towel around Jesus’ waist.
Jesus forgives and makes us completely clean. (6–10)
When we think about it this way, Peter’s aversion is understandable. How would you respond if someone you respected offered to wash your feet? Once again, Peter doesn’t quite understand what’s going on, but we have to appreciate his enthusiasm. When Jesus tells him this washing unites them, Peter demands a full bath. Jesus’ response is as practical as it is enigmatic — He connects it to a deeper spiritual truth by claiming that not all the disciples with Him are clean. Verse 11 makes clear that Judas’ uncleanness is of the spiritual and not the odiferous sort.
Jesus’ first reply to Peter in verses 6–8 presents this washing as a symbol of His approaching sacrifice on the cross, through which He provides full cleansing from sin. His second reply in verse 10, contrasting the fully cleansing bath with subsequent foot-washing, reinforces this message and adds that the cleansing will extend to future sins Christians must continue to confess (1 John 1:9).
Jesus calls us to humbly serve others. (14–16)
Jesus then applies this message to His disciples, instructing them to adopt the same humble, self-sacrificing and forgiving spirit. Whether or not foot-washing is normative for the Church, humbly serving one another should be. We must have “the same mindset as Christ” though He was “in very nature God … He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant … He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death — even death on a cross.” (Phil 2:5–8).
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