Dirty Feet | A Study in John 13

Adapted From Direction Bible Studies, available at FWBMastersMen.com.

During the American Revolution, a man in civilian clothes rode past a group of soldiers repairing a defensive barrier. Their leader was shouting instructions at them but making no attempt to help them. When the rider asked why he didn’t help, he retorted with great dignity, “Sir, I am a corporal!”

The stranger apologized, dismounted, and proceeded to help the working men. When the job was completed, he turned to the pompous corporal and said, “Mr. Corporal, next time you have a job like this and not enough men to do it, send word to your commander-in-chief, and I will come and help you again.”

You see, the rider was none other than George Washington.

The disciples of Jesus, including Peter, often had the attitude of the corporal rather than the attitude of George Washington.

In John 13, we find one of the most memorable incidents the in Bible. It was the night before Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion. It was an intense time in Jesus’ life. His public ministry had ended, and He had turned His full attention to His disciples. Jesus had sent Peter and John to prepare their Passover meal. The food had been prepared. The table had been set, and I’m sure the disciples thought everything was ready. But it wasn’t!

In the culture of Jesus’ day, it was a common courtesy to have a servant stationed at the door to wash the dust from guests’ feet when they arrived. The practice was necessary because people wore sandals and did most of their traveling on foot. Imagine the situation: Jesus and the disciples entered the house, but no one was there to wash their feet. Perhaps they paused momentarily, wondering why Peter and John had “dropped the ball” regarding this important detail. Reclining at the table, maybe each disciple felt uncomfortable, grimy, dusty, and unwashed. They saw the basin and towel in the corner, but that is where they remained.

Perhaps one or more of the disciples thought, “Somebody ought to at least wash Jesus’ feet. But if I do it, where will that put me on the social pecking order? All the way at the bottom. If I volunteer, I might get stuck with the job from now on. Maybe if I just wait, somebody else will do it.”

If you’ve been in church very long, you know that kind of thinking occurs. The awkward moment set the scene for Jesus to impart three important truths to His disciples.

A Model to Follow

Jesus saw the need. Unlike the disciples, He did something about it. He did not lecture His disciples about serving others but chose to provide His own living example. What do the actions of Jesus teach us about serving others?

Verse 4 tells us He rose from supper. Serving others sometimes means doing things we may not desire to do, or that may be uncomfortable for us. Jesus rose from the table when He could have remained reclining in comfort.

Sometimes—okay, most days—when the alarm sounds in the morning, I simply want to roll over and go back to sleep. But I must get up and get moving—the first step in serving others. To serve, we must be willing to be uncomfortable.

Verse 4 also says Jesus laid aside His garments. Serving others usually requires denying self, laying something aside. Our lives are full of activities. To add a service for someone usually means we must subtract another activity, perhaps one we deeply enjoy. A servant often must deny self to have the time and energy for others.

Verses 4 and 5 tell us Jesus wrapped Himself in a towel and poured water in a basin. This reminds us service often demands inconvenience and preparation. Service doesn’t just happen. Many things go undone in the church because we simply don’t want to be inconvenienced, or we are unwilling to pay the price of preparation. For instance: most churches want first-class music, but a great music program, Christmas cantata, or offertory won’t happen without practice.

Verse 5 also says Jesus began to wash their feet. Action. Serving others demands action. At some point, we must start serving. We can think about it. We can pray about it. We can plan and prepare for it. But at some point, we must simply act. That is what Jesus did. By this action of washing the dirty feet of His disciples, He illustrated for them the true meaning of humility and love.

A Message to Accept

The actions Jesus modeled communicate an important message. In verses 6-8, Peter objected to having his feet washed by his Master. At first read, it may seem a noble objection, a humble objection to letting the God of the universe stoop to wash Peter’s feet. But Jesus’ response reveals the motivation behind Peter’s unwillingness to be washed: pride.
Jesus was interested in teaching Peter far more than the need for humble service. He wanted Peter to understand the need for spiritual cleansing. That, unless the Savior washes us, we will never be clean. A few days later, after denying Jesus, do you think these words, and Jesus’ humble example, came back to Peter? I am sure they must have.

A Ministry to Perform

In verse 12, after completing His task, Jesus asked the disciples if they understood what had just taken place—the point behind His actions. He wanted His disciples to understand clearly that a relationship with the Savior is not simply about getting needs met but about a personal transformation in character and thinking. We must know the Savior Jesus to become like the servant Jesus.

The memorable moment in verses 14-17 concluded with Jesus instructing His disciples to follow His example. And the result of obedience? A blessed and happy life. In our self-centered culture, serving others may sound like the complete antithesis of a happy life, but according to the Savior, this is the key to the fulfilled Christian life.

As we bring our own dirty feet to the Savior for cleansing, let us echo with Peter, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.”

Artwork: Wikipedia Commons. Albrecht Dürer, ca. 1508