Daily Bible Reading: John 13: 1-17 - The Lesson of Foot Washing

John 13 begins with Jesus and his 12 apostles in the upper room, after the Passover feast.  According to V1 Jesus knew that his hour was come that he would leave this world and return to his Father in heaven, having loved his own which were in the world.  Judas Iscariot was there as well, the one who would betray Jesus, and his hour had come as well for the betrayal.  But even this was in the control of Jesus.

V2 tells us that "the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray him"

The fact that Judas would betray Jesus shows that having been a follower of Jesus for 3 1/2 years, having been a witness of his teaching, preaching and healing ministry, he never did believe on Jesus as the Christ of God.  He always  referred to Jesus as Rabbi, (teacher) not Lord.   The fact is that Jesus chose Judas knowing that he would be the one that would betray him so that he would go to the cross, shed his precious blood to atone for sin, and take upon himself the penalty of sin.  All of this was pre-ordained. 

V3-17 "Jesus.....ariseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel and girded himself.  After that he poureth water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them  with the towel..Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?"  Jesus answered him that he didn't understand now, but that after he would.  But Peter protested "Thou shalt never wash my feet..."  But Jesus said "he that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean but not all. "  After he had washed their feet...and was set down again he said unto them, know ye what I have done to you?......if I..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. ...if ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them."

This is a difficult passage.  Why would Jesus the Christ, their Lord and Master, wash their feet?  They were stunned but Peter, as far as we are told, was the only one who protested because he supposed himself to be unworthy for his Lord to wash his feet.  Jesus here is taking the servant's position in washing their feet. By saying that they are washed and only need to wash their feet, he is saying that they are saved, but they need daily washing.   This is done by keeping short accounts with God.  When we do something we know we shouldn't do, we should confess it to God.  Then we are cleansed.  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every believer certainly convicts the heart when something is said or done that shouldn't be.

When Jesus said "ye are clean but not all" he was referring to Judas who would shortly betray him. It is amazing to me that Jesus must have washed the feet of Judas as well since Judas was with them at this time.  The Son of God washing the feet of his betrayer is truly something to marvel at.

Christians can "wash each other's feet" in service to each other.  By being loving, being helpful, doing what may be asked of them.

For more teaching on this subject of foot-washing, follow the link below at Got Questions.

Foot Washing

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Daily Bible Reading: John 12:1-11 - Mary Annoints Jesus and Judas Protests

John chapter 12 follows the raising of Lazarus from the grave in a mighty display by the Lord Jesus.  After this Lazarus returned to his home and his sisters where a dinner was made for Jesus.  Lazarus was there as well.  It was at this dinner that Mary, the one who sat at Jesus' feet and learned of him, anointed him.  This is where the true personality of Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus, begins to show itself.

V1-2  "Six days before the feast of Passover, Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was which had been dead.  There they made him a supper and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him."

To learn where Passover originated, please read Exodus 12.   One cannot help but marvel that Lazarus who had been in the grave for four days was raised free of the illness from which he had died, his body restored.  This time Martha is willingly serving, and does not complain to the Lord about Mary not helping her as she did on a previous occasion. (Luke 10:38-42)

V3 "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment."

For an excellent  explanation of what Spikenard is, please follow this link to Got Questions.  It is speculated that this spikenard might have been Mary's dowry.  She wanted only the best for Jesus.  It is fitting that the one who sat at the feet of Jesus and learned of him would be the one to anoint his feet and dry them not with a towel but with her hair.  In these times hair was the woman's glory and Mary did not hesitate to use her hair in this manner, showing her love and respect for Jesus. The odour of the ointment was so strong and beautiful that it filled the house, thus Mary's act of love for Jesus had an effect on the whole house.