When we read the story of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, we may think we understand why He was doing that for them. John, for instance, was a close friend. Then there were Peter and Andrew, who had been so faithful in following the Master.
Each of the disciples must have had something that endeared him to Jesus. But why did He wash the feet of Judas? Jesus knew that He was stooping down to serve the one who would soon stoop to perform history’s worst act of treachery.
Jesus was performing the most menial of tasks for a person who treated the Creator of the universe as being someone worth no more than 30 pieces of silver. Knowingly, the One whose name is associated with giving life got His hands dirty to serve the one whose name would stand for betrayal and death for the rest of time.
Doesn’t Jesus’ example tell us something special about service? Doesn’t it remind us that we are not called to serve only those who are like us, or even those who care for us? We are called to serve all people – the lovely and the unlovely, the friendly and the not-so-friendly.
When was the last time you "washed the feet" of someone like Judas? – David C. Branon
When Jesus took a servant’s towel –
His honor set aside –
He humbly showed us how to serve,
And how to conquer pride. – Sper
READ: John 13:1-20
It’s difficult to stand on a pedestal and wash the feet of those below. – Colson