“The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13.2-5
Jesus knew his position and was not threatened by the devil or mortal man. He was confident in who he was knowing that his Father “had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God.” Jesus had nothing to fear even though the devil was working in his midst and had already turned Judas to betray him. This of course had to happen and was all a part of God’s plan to redeem the world. (Judas, who would betray Jesus for 30 silver coins, had allowed the devil to sway him to giving over Jesus to the Jewish authorities.)
But God put everything under Jesus’ power. Which means, Judas’ actions, the devils actions, our actions, our sin, it’s under his powers and authority. He has dominion over it, has the power to transform it and the power to forgive it. And the strength to defeat it.
So, by Jesus knowing all of this (that he was from God and would be returning to God) he does an extraordinary thing. Extra-ordinary, unnatural, not common or expected— he washes the feet of his disciples. (Pause for effect. Take a moment for this to sink in.) The God of the Universe, Jesus himself who is God in the flesh has all authority, power and dominion. He is the first born, the second Adam, the one who would restore all things.
Now if it were me, I’d pick a fine white stallion and prance around the Temple courts, basking in my own glory. But Jesus, King of the World, Creator of creation, responds in an extraordinary act of humility and servanthood. He submits himself to these men, saints and sinners alike.
We’ve all read this story, there are no surprises in what he does — but perhaps there should be continual surprise from a God who owes us nothing yet gives us everything. Jesus washes the feet of the disciples, a role only a servant would take. Drop the mic, Jesus.
This one act is what distinguishes Jesus from all other great leaders, gods and gurus — he makes himself lower than a servant, a common slave, so that God might life him up. He demonstrates such love that he would be willing to serve and eventually die for the sins of many.
What God would do this? What leader would become servant of all? Yet he served us that we might serve one another and show the world a God who is not only kind, but just, loving and redemptive in all his ways.
“O Lord God, I do not deserve your sacrifice. But of course, that is the point. I need your light of life to flow through me, to engulf me and to set me free from the bondage of sin and shame. Come now, Holy Spirit, renew your love in me. Help me be all that you have called and created me to be that I might walk in the newness of your love and experience the depth of your grace. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen