Jesus was at a table with His disciple. They were eating. However, most theologians and historians believed that they were not sitting up like we picture, but leaning on their hand and resting on their elbows. That means that they would have been positioned head to feet and feet to head.
Why is this important. It’s important because their feet were more than likely dirty. The passage tells us that with supper being ended, Jesus got up from the table and girded himself with a servants apron and washed the feet of His disciples.
Traditionally someone should have been at the door of the room where they were eating. And the person at the door would have washed their feet as they entered the house. Nonetheless, it appears that no one was there. It is also is apparent that none of the disciples volunteered to wash feet either.
There are so many interesting scenarios that surround this event. One being that Jesus didn’t wash their feet until after they were finished eating. Maybe they were too hungry to wait. Maybe they were preoccupied. Or maybe Jesus was just waiting to see if someone else would rise to the occasion and seize the opportunity.
Another interesting scenario was the fact that of those seated at the table with Jesus—one would betray Him, one would deny Him and all of them would fall asleep during one of the most crucial moments in Jesus life. Jesus would pray and sweat great drops of blood, while His disciples would sleep. Yet in this moment, He washed their feet.
As leaders—and sometimes as friends or family—we may know the whole story. We may know all the facts, even those things that no one else knows. Yet we are still called to love, lead, serve, and give of ourselves anyway.
That’s what Jesus did. He led with a heart of humility and served with a heart full of love. He led by example and continued to serve even though He knew what His followers would eventually do. The question for us is: How will we follow His example, and how can we make a “stinky” situation better?
In regard to the matter of us “doing like wise” and the practice of washing feet. I’m not sure if Jesus was referring to it in the literal context exclusively. I think He may have also been referring to something like this as well:
- Lead by example—even when you know all of the facts.
- Be willing to do what know one else was or is willing to do.
- Do what should have already been done—even if no one else will do it now.
- Act in love and humility and serve others—even in a stinky situation.
- Humble yourself and meet the “obvious” need with a heart of humility and love.
