Find a Way and Wash Another’s Feet
Brandt Gillespie
(Audio: English)
SUMMARY: In John 13:3-7 and 12-14, Jesus washed His disciples' feet, demonstrating the upside-down nature of His kingdom where the greatest must become the servant. Jesus knew His power came from God, and we must also strip away our false identities to find our true identity in Christ. We must adopt the nature of Christ, who served others, to be true leaders in His kingdom. The message is to wash one another's feet, to serve one another as Jesus served His disciples.
In this portion of scripture, we gain glimpses of what is termed God’s “Upside Down Kingdom.” I’m of the opinion that due to our temporal, rather truncated existence that we call our lifespan, we are duped into believing that the vertical authoritarian social structures and world systems are truly the models of power. However, these are the very structures that Jesus came to turn upside down. His assignment can best be described as turning things, “right side up.”
Let’s ponder John Chapter 13, verses 3-7 and verses 12-14, together. “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. 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. He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you? He asked them. You call me “Teacher” and “Lord,” and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (New International Version).
Let’s ponder John Chapter 13, verses 3-7 and verses 12-14, together. “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. 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. He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you? He asked them. You call me “Teacher” and “Lord,” and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (New International Version).
