Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. (John 13:1-20).

For the next act in the drama of the Upper Room, we must turn to John's Gospel, Ch. 13:1-20, where is presented to us a wonderful example of love in humiliation. The Lord humbled himself before the Apostles by performing for them a duty that was normally done by a slave: he washed their feet. John declares that this took place "before the feast of the passover" (v.1), because the feast proper did not take place until l5th Abib (the day before the l4th, being described as the Day of Preparation -- John 18:31). The A.V. states that "supper being ended" this incident took place. But, the R.V. renders this: "during supper," which is more in accordance with the context. It was during supper, therefore, that Christ performed this act as a token of that loving service which he rendered unto humanity by submitting unto the death on the cross. John comments: "Having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end." The word "end" is "telos" and signifies to "the limit," or "the uttermost." His love was such that he completed the work his Father sent him to do in the redemption of mankind.

In Humble Service

Thirteen men sat around the table. The heart of one was filled with a mixture of love and sadness as he looked around the faces of his friends. They were so naive, and childlike in their attitude; and yet so warm and enthusiastic towards the things that he loved. There was John, energetic and devoted. There was Peter, impetuous and lovable. There was Matthew, thoughtful and intelligent. There was Philip, cautious and retiring. There was Judas Iscariot...

He was the only Judean among the little company; and hidden in his heart that night were dark thoughts of betrayal. They had been implanted there by "the devil," the false accuser, the Jewish leaders who had conspired with him a few hours earlier to betray his Lord (Luke 22:4-5).

The Lord knew what was in the heart of Judas; he knew that he was enacting a lie as he sat at that table. He had agreed to "betray" Jesus, or, as the word in the Greek signifies: "to deliver him over" to the authorities. And the Lord was ready for whatever lay before him. He knew that Yahweh was with him, and that he would conquer over all opposition. He realised that he had come from God, and would ascend up to Him after the triumph of the resurrection (John 13:3).

Time was short, and he must help his Apostles.

So, with supper almost over, to the consternation of the Apostles, the Lord rose from supper, and laying aside his mantle (see Diaglott), he took a towel, and tied it around himself as a common slave would.

hey watched him in silence, wondering what he was doing. They looked upon him as the Christ, the Son of God, the one who would shortly proclaim himself as King, the restorer of the Kingdom of Israel.

It was not right that he should humble himself in such fashion before them.

But taking a basin, the Lord filled it with the water that, most likely, had been brought by the man with the pitcher, and stooping began to wash the disciple's feet.

It was the office of the meanest [lowest] slave (1 Sam. 25:41).

In silence, feeling awkward and uncomfortable, not understanding the purpose of the action, the disciples each submitted.

Matthew, John, James, Philip, Judas!

Yes, even though he was awaiting the opportunity to escape from the room, and disclose to the Jewish leaders how and where they could arrest Jesus, he allowed the Lord to humbly stoop down before him and wash his feet!

How many since have accepted the service of the Lord, and yet betrayed him!

What a scene in the quiet upper room, in the midst of Jerusalem, as the Lord humbly went from person to person.

But there was impetuous Peter, believing that the kingdom would soon be set up. He would not permit his Lord to humble himself to that extent on his behalf! No! He was more than ready to humble himself before the king; he would kneel before Jesus; no need for Jesus to kneel before him!

"You, Master! Are you going to wash my feet?" he asked in amazement.

"You do not understand what I am now doing," replied the Lord.

"You shall never wash my feet!" exclaimed Peter stoutly.

"Unless I wash you," the Lord solemnly replied, "you will have nothing in common with me!"

From Christ's comment, it is obvious that his action had a spiritual significance. To wash, in the spiritual sense, is to be morally clean. "Ye are clean through the word which I speak unto you," the Lord declared shortly afterwards (John 15:2). Paul referred to the Word of God as a cleansing agent, by which Christ's followers can be washed and purified from all blemishes (Eph. 5:26). A person must humble himself to receive such a washing. But Peter was not prepared to let Christ wash him. In refusing him, he claimed to have a greater humility than the other disciples, but, in fact, he lacked it.

Christ humbled himself to provide the means of washing, and his followers should humble themselves to receive it.

That was the lesson he taught them in the upper room, as clad as a slave, he knelt before his followers to assist them. In doing so, he:

"Made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:7-8).

Meanwhile, Peter was perturbed at the last statement of the Lord. Though he still misunderstood the significance of Christ's action, if it meant that washing was necessary, he would seek a greater washing than the others.

"Master," he pleaded, "not my feet only, but my hands and head too!"

But Jesus gravely answered:

"Those who have bathed*, have no need to wash, unless it be their feet, but are altogether clean; and you are clean, but not every one of you!"

[* The Greek word in this place is "louo," and signifies to completely bathe. The R.V. renders it as "bathed." Elsewhere in this chapter, a different word is used for "washed," namely "nipto," and this signifies the washing of part of the body. Hence in this verse, John is referring to one who has been washed all over, as one is in baptism.]

Literally, a person who has bathed does not need to bathe again when he reaches home, but only to wash the dust off his feet. Spiritually, a person bathes at baptism. But walking in the world, in the course of his daily environment, causes his feet to become "dusty," requiring constant washing. The daily application of the Word of God provides the necessary washing.

This lesson was impressed upon Israelites, as they watched the priests ministering in the Temple. They saw that before and after attending to the things relating to the people in worship, they washed a portion of their body (hands and feet) at the laver,

They were washed all over at their induction (Lev. 8:6), but afterwards washed only the necessary parts of their body.

There is a daily need of washing with the "laver of the word" on the part of believers; for they are like priests, attending to the things of God, though compassed with a nature that causes them to fail.

Peter's undoubted love for the Master showed that he had been bathed, and that he desired to do those things that would please Christ; but his boasting, and his subsequent failures, showed the need for daily washing of the feet to cleanse the dust of worldliness off, in his pilgrimage journey to the Kingdom.

There was one other comment of most solemn import in the statement of the Lord. He declared: "You are not all clean."

And John, writing many years later, added: "For he knew who should betray him."

He knew who it was, but he tried in every way to save even Judas from the act of gross betrayal he was about to commit.

The washing of Judas' feet was a plea to him to turn back and walk in clean paths.

The Exhortation Before Communion

Silently the Apostles watched the Lord complete his humble task. He put down the basin, took up his mantle and draped it about him, and then returned to his seat.

They looked at him curiously. What did the action mean? He gazed around the table into the faces of his friends. How completely he knew them. He could read the heart of every one. He knew their strength and weakness; and he recognised that the latter was greater than the former. They were in need of help such as only he could give. They were in need of the help of each other. Poor Peter! He felt he was so strong, yet what strength he needed! Poor Matthew He could quote Scripture so readily, but how completely he missed its inner meaning. Poor James and John! They were filled with such enthusiasm for his ministry, but how sadly they had misread the situation.

Perhaps they might take heed of the example he had set them, and try each one to help the other.

And so he exhorted them.

"Do you understand what I have been doing to you?" he asked them solemnly. "You call me 'the Teacher' and 'the Master,' and you are right, for I am both. If I, then ('the Master' and 'the Teacher') have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet; for I have given you an example, so that you may do just as I have done to you. A servant, believe me, is not greater than his master, nor yet a messenger than the man who sends him. Now that you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. I am not speaking about all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but this is in fulfilment of the words of Scripture: 'He that is eating my bread, has lifted his heel against me' (Ps. 41:9). For the future I shall tell you of things before they take place, so that when they do, you may believe that I am what I say. Those, I assure you, who receive any one that I send are receiving me; and those who receive me are receiving Him who sent me."

At this point, the Lord paused. He was deeply moved, for he could not overlook the treacherous action Judas was about to commit. Here was one who had gone forth preaching and performing miracles in his name; and yet, now, was about to fulfil Scripture by lifting up his heel, or, figuratively, raising his foot to trip up his Lord.

He felt this keenly because his love for Judas was such, that he would save him if he could. But that was dependent upon Judas as well as the Lord. So he paused, and then, impressively, he continued:

"It is one of you who will betray me!"

It was a terrible accusation, and the Apostles were amazed at the disclosure. What did the Lord mean by somebody betraying him? They did not know! They were in complete ignorance of all the tragic events that were about to take place. They looked one at another, wondering what he meant and of whom he spake.

The word that the Lord had spoken constituted an exhortation delivered just before partaking of the bread and wine in sacrificial remembrance. It is important, therefore, that we closely consider what they signified.

The Lord's Example

In his exhortation, the Lord declared that he had given them an example. Many years later, a converted Peter remembered these words, and incorporated them into an exhortation he also delivered. He declared:

"Even hereunto were you called; because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps; who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth ... Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed..." (1 Pet. 2:21-24).

Christ had washed the disciples' feet literally, to symbolise the cleansing influence of his labors on their behalf. His sacrifice would make it possible for them to receive forgiveness of sins, and cleanse their way before their God. He had ministered to them in such a fashion that they could walk with cleansed feet towards the Kingdom of God.

All this provided an example they should emulate. What he did for them, they should do for others; helping them along the pathway of life. If they did that, they would figuratively wash the feet of their fellows.

However, it could only be done effectively if they, like their Lord, humbled themselves to serve their fellows.

It is encumbent upon all of the Lord's followers to do that.

The Lord knows the needs of every disciple. He told the Apostles that he "knew those whom he had chosen" (John 13:18). He knew the strengths and weaknesses of their characters, and what each one required to develop in spirituality. On an earlier occasion, he had declared that one of them was a devil (John 6:70), and now he clearly stated that one of their number would betray him.

The statement was made in a most significant context, for he had solemnly warned that those who received him received God, and those who rejected him rejected God.

Judas was about to reject both Jesus and Yahweh.

We can do likewise if we reject the words of Scripture. Are we allowing the water of the Word to wash our feet, and guide us into a clean walk in Yahweh's sight? Are we helping others to do likewise, and thus figuratively humbling ourselves to wash their feet? Do we acknowledge that Jesus knows our very heart, and recognising our innate weakness, seek the strength that he can give? Do we in fact acknowledge him as "the Teacher" and "the Lord"? Do we reflect upon the fact that Scripture clearly teaches that there will be other betrayers of the Lord besides Judas, and that they will not find a place in the Kingdom? Do we apply his words of exhortation personally?

These are matters that were clearly set forth by the Lord in his exhortation before handing the bread and wine to his disciples.

SELF-EXAMINATION