Washing the Disciples Feet: An Example of Humility

I think the greatest example of humility Christ demonstrated, aside from going to the cross of Calvary, was when he washed the feet of the disciples. In that time, servants would wash the dirty feet of visitors of their masters' homes. A rather unpleasant and lowly job wouldn't you say? Feet were much dirtier in that day compared to modern times because the roads were not paved and shoes were mostly of the sandal variety. Washing feet was considered a lowly and demeaning job, thus it was assigned to servants and slaves. And yet, during the last supper, Jesus humbled himself, and washed twelve sets of dirty feet, and a word of exhortation to the disciples, to humble themselves likewise as servants of God. He was setting an example for them to follow.

"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. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:12-15

It's interesting to note that Peter was offended by Jesus' act. After all, Jesus was the Son of God, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He was too great, in Peter's estimation, to stoop so low. He resisted Jesus and even rebuked Him as Jesus stooped down to wash Peter's feet.

"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.” No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” John 13:6-8

Hmm. Jesus' words to Peter were pretty hard. They had an immediate impact on Peter's attitude:“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” vs. 9.

Many people confuse the words humility with humiliation. Humiliation speaks of shame and disgrace. If someone humiliates you, they do or say something that leaves you feeling stupid, inadequate, ashamed, and embarrassed. This is not at all what Christ was doing when He washed the disciples feet. Peter thought He was humiliating Himself, but Christ was showing humility - a lack of pride, arrogance, willingness to be a servant, to honor others. Philippians 2:3 says: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves." Christ was never selfishly ambitious or full of vain conceit. He did what was best for others. It would have been selfish ambition had he made the disciples wash His feet. It would have been selfish ambition had he refused to go to the cross and save Himself from harm. Buit He humbled Himself before God His Father, and went willingly and obediently to the cross for us.

It is true that those who assaulted and crucified Christ tried to humiliate Him. They mocked Him, beat Him, crucified Him nearly naked on the cross of Calvary. But, His willingness to and obedience of going to the cross was the greatest act of humility in the history of the world. He was willing to be humiliated unjustly, in obedience to the Father, to save us from the humiliating punishment for our sins.

Back to the washing of the feet, Christ was trying to demonstrate to the disciples to be selfless, and willing to serve others, rather than to be served and to be self-seeking. He knew what temptation could and would come to the apostles when He went away. They would be THE Apostles, leaders of the first Church. Ego and false piety, the temptation elevate themselves would be a great temptation. Even while Christ was with them the disciples were always arguing about who was the greatest. Christ never forgot what He was here on earth for. It was to seek and save the lost, to draw all men to the Father, to show them the way to eternal life. By washing the disciples' feet, he was saying in effect, humble yourselves, and put the welfare of others first, by serving them, and showing them the way to Me.

© Lori Colbo 2011