Last words are often the most important words. When someone dies, most of their words are forgotten. However, their last words are often recorded and cherished by their loved ones. This is because, of course, when one is dying, only the things that really matter are spoken – and hopefully, to the people that matter most. So it follows that the most important words ever uttered by a human were the last words of the most important human in history: Jesus. What was his final message?
In John 13, the apostle records that Jesus and his disciples gathered in Jerusalem for what would be his last Passover meal. Amazingly, even though Jesus knew his violent death was imminent (v. 1a), he was primarily concerned with the well-being of his disciples: “He loved them to the end” (v. 1b). It was at the Last Supper that He would show – and tell – them what was most important.
When they had finished eating, Jesus got up from the table. John notes – for those tempted to think that he was purposefully naïve regarding his status – that Jesus was well-aware of his divinity, his mission, and the presence of his betrayer in the room (vv. 3, 10). Incredibly, Jesus shed his outer garment and wrapped a towel around his waist – adopting the garb of a servant. This was an act almost unthinkable for a man of his stature. In so doing, he laid aside his divinity – and his vexation regarding his upcoming execution – to serve his disciples. He grabbed a basin of water, stooped down silently, and began to wash his disciple’s feet.
In first-century Jewish culture, feet were viewed as the lowest part of the man – detestable, disgusting, and repugnant. On the dusty roads of Jerusalem, their sandaled, sweaty feet became unbelievably foul. Think about the noisome smell that is released when a person removes their shoes at school or work. Now imagine stooping down to clean their feet without holding your nose. It was that odious. Even today, throwing a shoe is considered incredibly disrespectful in Middle Eastern culture, likely because of this connection (as former President Bush discovered). In Jesus’ time, the bottom-dwelling task of washing feet was the duty of servants – the lowest of the low. And yet, Jesus became a servant for their sakes.
Peter, recognizing the disrespect Jesus took upon himself – and perhaps, even embarrassed at his own filth – refused to let Jesus wash his feet. But Jesus responded, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (v. 8). Peter, evidently confused by his response, replied “then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” (v. 9). Jesus explained that the one who has bathed has no need to wash their whole body, but only their feet. This is a metaphor for the cleansing of a man’s soul – a cleansing that was about to manifest in his own blood on the Cross. Jesus explained further,
“Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (vv. 13-14)
As believers, even though we are clean, our feet still need to be washed. Though our souls are spotless by faith, our lives are sullied by the dirt of this world on the dusty road to sanctification. How easy it is to view those “less clean” with contempt – even when our feet are dirty! We simply don’t want their grime to contact us. We don’t wish to be associated with them. But Jesus provided the example: if he, our Master, did not deem it too low for him to associate with the lowly and wash them, how much more should we think so?
Life together is messy. Though we are being saved by grace, we still sin. How easy it is to turn away from the needs of other believers! But Christ sets the example. He instructs us, as our Commander, to enter the mess of each other’s lives. He bids us to wash each other’s feet with the Word (Titus 3:5). And he tells us to love from the heart (1 Peter 1:22).
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).