The Bible is full of lessons for us to learn from. In particular, the story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples. Bible verses regarding this story can be found in John 13:1-7 where we read of the surprise the disciples had when Jesus their leader washed their feet.
Jesus used this significant moment to teach and prepare His disciples for a new way of life which they are going to receive through His death and resurrection.
In John 13:1-7, Jesus and the disciples were celebrating Passover, and verse 1 says, “Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father.” Jesus knew that he did not have much time left with his disciples, and he had something that he wanted to teach them before he left earth.
Here are 3 important lessons we can learn from Jesus washing His disciple’s feet:
1). Be humble in serving God and people
Jesus through washing the disciple’s feet teaches us how to serve others with humility of heart. We should humble ourselves to serve in the responsibility that is given to us. Whatever position you find yourself in, you are expected to have a humble spirit for the betterment of people who are under you.
As Jesus says in verses 14-15, “Now that I, your Lord and teacher have washed your feet, you should also wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” We should become like servants for the benefit of others.
When we know Jesus and have a relationship with him, we are to serve as a servant. This does not mean that others are more significant than we are, but we are to be like our Savior who humbled Himself to die for us.
2). Jesus always prepares and equips us for the task ahead of us
Jesus knowing that His death was fast approaching, gathered His disciples in order to prepare and equip them for the task He has set before them. He wanted to make them clean in their spirit, soul, and body, as these will enable them to fulfill His will and purpose for their lives.
In verse 1 of John 13, it was just before the Passover Festival and Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. His disciples were going to be the ones to take the gospel of the kingdom to the ends of the world and this is not an easy task for them, they need to be well equipped to accomplish these tasks.
They needed to be cleaned from their iniquities and only Jesus could do this starting from washing their feet to giving His life to prepare and equip each and every one of them to fulfill His will for our lives. Jesus tries to explain to them that “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me” (Vs.8).
We have no place in God unless we are washed through the blood of our Lord Jesus. His blood that was shed for us gives us the ability to become the children of God and we have received the power to accomplish the tasks set before us.
3). Jesus loves us till the end
This story helps us realize how much Jesus loves us. The Son of God washing the feet of His disciples is not a common thing among the people. It goes a long way to help us understand the love He has for us. When we comprehend, how loved we are, it will help us to love others genuinely.
Jesus loved us without wanting anything in return but for us to love others the same way He has loved us. We can make this possible in our lives when we spend time studying the word of God and growing in fellowship with Him. An intimate relationship with Him will eventually help us to love others with the same love of God.
Jesus loved us and gave His life for us, He endured the pain and shame on the cross just to save us from our sins. He who knew no sin became sin for us because He loved us. He paid it all for us. Having this mindset, we should love others and utilize every moment to serve and help one another.