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.
John 13:12-16
For three years Jesus traveled across Israel preaching and performing miracles. But this public ministry was only part of His plan. He invested the bulk of His time and attention into a core group of twelve men who He chose to be His disciples. He taught them, set an example for them, answered their questions, and showed them the Old Testament Scriptures connected to His purpose, not just for His own life but for theirs as well. Yet despite a perfect example and the constant direction and teaching of the Lord, the disciples often lost focus on what was truly important. They often looked not for God’s purpose, but for how being followers of Jesus could lead to their own promotion.
Even the day before the crucifixion, in the upper room, the disciples were arguing about position in what they expected to be an earthly kingdom. “And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest” (Luke 22:24). In the midst of their dispute, Jesus rose from supper, laid aside His garments, took a towel, and washed His disciples’ feet. Through this humble act, He gave them both an example of selfless service and a loving rebuke to their pride. While they were seeking position and personal advancement, Jesus, the Lord of Heaven and Creator of Earth, knelt before them and performed the task of a servant. In doing so, He showed them that true greatness is not found in being served, but in humbly serving others.
