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Author: Stephen Weller
704 words, 4 minutes read time

Greatness Includes Loving and Serving

Scripture: John 13:12-17, 34

In the previous lesson, Jesus encountered some resistance with Peter in having his feet washed. In this lesson he gives some explanation of why he washed their feet.

^{Jn 13:12} When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. ¹⁶ Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

The only disciple that was recorded as reacting to the washing of their feet was Peter, but I wonder what the others thought. I know the mixed feelings I had at first when my feet were washed on two occasions in an underground school in Asia. I wonder what Judas was thinking when Jesus washed his feet.

When Jesus finished washing their feet, he put back on his outer garments and returned to his plane at the table and asked his disciples, “Do you understand what I have done to you?” A simple response might be, “You washed our feet!”, but Jesus was looking to a more meaningful response. Was Jesus just washing dirty feet or was that done to illustrate something else? What brought on this foot washing was not dirty feet but a disagreement among the disciples over who was the greatest among them. Jesus then steps forth as the greater and assumes the role of a slave and humbles himself before them.

By washing their feet, Jesus was not suggesting that this be a normal activity among us. It was used as an illustration to show greatness in the kingdom of God. In Matthew 23:11 – 12 ESV: ¹¹ “The greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹² Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” In God’s kingdom, greatness is characterized by humility, and that is what Jesus was demonstrating by washing their feet.

After giving them an example, Jesus then adds something more to think about; “a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” There are levels of authority and those in authority are to be humble in relation to those under them.

Jn 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

To love one another is not something new, but the extent of that love is new. The love Jesus had for us, and still does, was so great that he was willing to sacrifice his life to meet our greatest need. Jesus taught us about sacrificial love and demonstrated it at the cross. As he met our need, we are to be willing to sacrifice to meet the needs of others. This new commandment is a love that is willing to show sacrifice for the benefit of another.

Conclusion

While serving the cup to his disciples, a dispute breaks out among them about who was the greatest among them. As the Son of God, Jesus takes off his outer garments, ties a towel around his waist, pours water into a basin and, to their amazement, begins to wash their feet. The one who spoke the universe into existence is humbly washing their dirty feet. In a very short time, he would further humble himself by going to the cross, despising its shame, to meet our greatest need. Jesus is demonstrating to his disciples and to us that greatness in God’s kingdom includes love that is willing to humbly sacrifice for the benefit of others. Bottom line: “Greatness = Serving and Loving.” (Jerry Peyton)