John 13:14-15 (He Washed your Feet as an Example)

John 13:14-15

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.

On the night Jesus was betrayed, He did some peculiar things. Many of His actions could be considered "out of character," especially for someone who knew they were about to die (John 13:1). One of the unusual things Jesus did is wash the disciple's feet. This story only appears in the 13th chapter of John's gospel, yet it is considered important in many churches. The day in which churches remember this story is known as Maundy Thursday, and according to Dictionary.com Maundy comes from the Latin word "mandātum, which means 'mandate or command.'" So, what is the command Jesus demonstrated by washing His disciples' feet, and how should a Christian respond to this command?

The story of Jesus washing His disciples' feet goes as follows: While the disciples and Jesus were eating their last Passover meal together, Jesus got up from the table, "took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist," (John 13:2-4). Jesus then set up a basin full of water, washed His disciples' feet with it, and then dried them off with His towel (John 13:5). When it was Peter's turn to have his feet washed, he told Jesus, "You shall never wash my feet," and Jesus responds, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me," (John 13:8). Peter then requested Jesus wash his whole body, to which Jesus replies, "Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you," (John 13:10). After Jesus did this, He took His place back at the table and said, "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 13:11-15).

The Lord says, "I will sprinkle clean water on you,
and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your
impurities and from all your idols," (Ezekiel 36:25).

Now, it's one thing to read a story, but it's another thing to know what it means. So, what is the meaning of Jesus washing His disciples' feet?

First, Jesus' actions show Him taking the place of a servant. In the time when Jesus walked the earth, people often wore sandals, and as such their feet got dirty. It was a common custom for a servant to wash the household's feet as well as those of any guests. When Jesus washed His disciples' feet, He took the role of the servant. Jesus' act of servanthood perfectly illustrates His self-described mission, for He says He "did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many," (Mark 10:45). Jesus is not a God who is "served by human hands, as if He needed anything," but rather He is a servant who continually "gives everyone life and breath and everything else," (Acts 17:25).

Second, Jesus' persistence to wash Peter's feet, but not his whole body, shows Jesus did this to demonstrate something spiritual. He told Peter and the other disciples they already had a bath (John 13:10). The bath Jesus is implying is baptism. The act of water baptism, when someone is immersed in water and then lifted up again, is a symbolic representation of spiritual baptism. This baptism is when a believer is buried with Jesus "into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life," (Romans 6:4). The apostle Paul says everyone who is a disciple of Jesus has taken part in this washing through baptism (1 Corinthians 6:11). Peter later wrote about this cleansing, stating this washing is "not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (1 Peter 3:21).

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the
full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled
to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our
bodies washed with pure water," (Hebrews 10:22).

Third, Jesus' washing of His disciples' feet concerns a similar spiritual washing. Jesus alludes to this earlier, when He tells His disciples, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet," or rather wash your feet of their dirt (Matthew 10:14). Jesus says the people who reject His disciples' and their gospel will be under an unbearable judgment (Matthew 10:15), so Jesus is telling His disciples' to not be contaminated by the world's wickedness and share in its judgment. Only those with clean spiritual clothes can enter into heaven (Revelation 22:14), which is why Jesus' disciples must keep their feet clean. The good news is that when Jesus' followers do get some dirt on them, such as when they sin or fail to love their neighbor, then Jesus can "wash their feet." The disciple John writes, "If anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ," (1 John 2:1) and further says, " If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness," (1 John 1:9).

Lastly, this spiritual washing of feet is not only an example but also a command. Those who follow Christ can forgive and cleanse one another as Jesus cleanses them. This is one reason why Jesus tells His disciples, "If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you," (Matthew 6:15). When Jesus' followers forgive one another they show comfort, so the one in need of forgiveness "will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow," (2 Corinthians 2:7). Furthermore, Jesus' followers can also wash one another "by the washing with water through the word," (Ephesians 5:26), for Paul says the word, meaning Scripture, helps make Jesus' followers more righteous and pure (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus followers' can even keep each other's feet from getting dirty by instructing one another. Paul writes that believers "full of goodness, filled with knowledge" are "competent to instruct one another," (Romans 15:14). In doing these things and more all of Jesus' disciples work together to "present everyone fully mature in Christ," (Colossians 2:22).

When one of Jesus' disciples washes another one's feet they
reflect Jesus' servanthood, affirm His baptism, proclaim the
forgiveness of sins, and show others how to do the same.

With all that Jesus is illustrating through washing His disciples' feet (including everything not addressed in this post), it is understandable why many people would not understand the meaning of this story. Sometimes, those who do not understand can prematurely give their own teaching about Jesus' feet washing. Oftentimes their uninformed teachings can lead others to confusion or worse.

On a personal note: this blog post was originally going to be published closer to Easter time, however this has been adjusted due to a recent advertisement released during the LVIII Super Bowl. The advertisement is part of a campaign known as He Gets Us, and their ad. shows several still images of various people washing other people's feet (though one image is just two guys sharing a foot bath). It concludes with the text, "Jesus didn't teach hate. He washed feet," implying Jesus' act of washing His disciples' feet shows how Jesus opposed hatred.

These still images, along with others, appeared
in the "Foot Washing" advertisement
created by the He Gets Us campaign.

However, according to the example Jesus demonstrated in John chapter 13, this ad. is misguided in nearly all of its claims. The ad. seems to show people of all kinds washing everyone and anyone's feet. Jesus, though, says His command to wash one another's feet only applies to His disciples, for this is what He means when He says, "you also should wash one another’s feet," (John 13:14). The ad. also shows people only washing each other's feet in the physical sense and never the spiritual one, but Jesus washed His disciples' feet physically to demonstrate a greater spiritual action. If Jesus' feet washing only concerned the physical act of taking the place of a servant and promoting proper hygiene, then Jesus would have been a bit dense to ask His disciples "Do you understand what I have done for you?" (John 13:12). Even more than these errors, the closing text claiming "Jesus didn't teach hate," is directly contradicted by this story. After Jesus washed His disciples' feet He says, "you are clean, though not every one of you," and John elaborates, "For He knew who was going to betray Him, and that was why He said not everyone was clean," (John 13:10-11). Now, Jesus saying someone is spiritually filthy when they likely thought they were clean may or may not be considered hateful, but it is arguably less debatably hateful for Jesus to refer to this same filthy person as a devil (John 6:70-71). It is written of Jesus He "hated wickedness," (Hebrews 1:8-9) and His disciples' learned from His example to "hate what is evil," (Romans 12:9).

In the description for their advertisement, He Gets Us asks, "How would our contentious world change if people, especially those with opposing ideologies, took off their shoes and washed each other’s feet?" The answer is the world would not change a whole lot. At best, people everywhere would have much more pleasant smelling feet. The proof of this is when Jesus washed Judas' feet, and then says this foot washing did nothing to make Judas spiritually clean or any less wicked (John 13:11). If Jesus disciples' want to offer true washing to cleanse the wicked of this world, then they must lead people to "repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins," (Acts 2:38). Only after someone has had a bath will Jesus' disciples then be able to wash their feet.

Jesus' disciples, like Him, walk in the world's dirt
but do not belong to it, because they have been cleansed
by God's word and His truth, (John 17:16-17).
Those who belong to the world's dirt need to be washed
"with the Holy Spirit and fire," (Matthew 3:11).

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• John MacArthur Study Bible (consulted research)
• Dictionary: Maundy Thursday
• Bible Study Tools: Baptism
• He Gets Us: Foot Washing Advertisement

Do I Pass God's Test?

Have you had this nightmare? You're back in school and the teacher hands out a test. You go into the test confident. You can answer most of the questions, but there is just one thing on there that you do not understand. The teacher, though, says this unknown thing is the key to passing the test. How could you not know something the teacher says is so important? Did you not study hard enough? Was the teacher hiding this from you? Whatever the reason, because of this one thing, you fail the test. Concerning this scenario: here's a follow-up question: Do you ever think maybe God is like this teacher? Is there ever the worry that when God looks at your life, He'll say, "Hey, you forgot this one thing. Now, you won't get to heaven." These thoughts can lead people to ask themselves, "Will I pass God's test?"

Let's examine this scenario and see if it reflects reality, starting with seeing if God is our teacher. The Bible, indeed, says God is a great teacher. The prophets refer to God as the "Wonderful Counselor," who is a "Mighty God," (Isaiah 9:6). The Psalmist says of God that He "will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go," (Psalm 32:8). When Jesus, who is God, spoke in front of crowds, the people who heard Him thought "He taught as one who had authority, and not as their [other] teachers of the law," (Matthew 7:29). So, God is absolutely a great teacher. 

Does our teacher give out tests? Well, the point of a test is to see how someone "measures up". The Bible says that some of God's angels hold "a measuring line" and they use this line to measure out nations, cities and people (Zechariah 2:2-5). The prophet Amos once saw God holding such a measuring line, and God used it to show how His people were not "measuring up" (Amos 7:7-9). Jesus also says there is a way to test whether someone is speaking truthfully or false (Matthew 7:15-16). The Apostle John wrote about how believers are to test whether something is Godly or not (1 John 4:1). Finally, the Bible says everyone who ever lived will be judged by God, and God will see whether they pass His examination (2 Timothy 4:1, Hebrews 9:27). So yes, our great teacher does have a test.

Not only is God our teacher, but He cares 

for His students (1 Peter 5:7) and He would love 

to see them all pass His test (2 Peter 3:9). 

Is God, by chance, like the teacher in the nightmare, hiding information? Adam and Eve thought so. They entertained the question that God hid crucial knowledge from them (Genesis 3:1-5). God, though, says He has not hidden anything from us that we need. It is written, "the things [God] revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow" Him, (Deuteronomy 29:29). Now some have thought that God keeps information from them, because He wants them to look dumb. This is a lie. God longs to give people what is best for them (Matthew 7:11). He has given everyone the knowledge they need, but many have rejected it. The Psalmist says people have rejected what they needed most, and what they rejected "has become the cornerstone," (Psalm 118:22). If someone fails God's test, it will not be because God hid something they needed. It will not even be because someone did not study enough. It will be because someone rejected what God gave them to pass His test.

So, what is God's test, and what is the key to passing this test?

Many have asked this question, but it was once asked by a fearful man; a man who worried he was lacking something crucial. This man was a jailer. He oversaw multiple prisoners, but two in particular were the Apostle Paul and his companion Silas. One night while these two disciples were under his guard, "there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken," (Acts 16:26). The jailer was terrified that his prisoners would use this opportunity to escape. Fearing his life would be taken for his negligence, the jailer "drew his sword and was about to kill himself," (Acts 16:27). Before he could, Paul shouted to him that no one left the jail and all his prisoners were safe (Acts 16:28). The jailer was astounded that these men did not run away when they had the chance. Trembling, the jailer fell before Paul and Silas and asked them, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:29-30). In other words, "What must I do to pass God's test?"

Jesus says His teaching is easy (Matthew 11:29), and
if anyone wants to pass God's test, then they
must be willing to learn (Proverbs 4:1-2).

Paul and Silas told this man one thing; the key to passing or failing. They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved," (Acts 16:31). That's all. The Jailer heard this, and in that hour "he and all his household were baptized," (Acts 16:33). The jailer even washed his prisoners wounds and served them a hot meal, (Acts 16:31-34). He did this because "he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God," (Acts 16:34). He had found the one thing that truly matters (Luke 10:42) and nothing could ever take it away from him (John 10:28). He believed in the Lord Jesus and passed God's test.

If believing in Jesus is what saves someone, then what does it mean to believe in Jesus? Anyone can believe Jesus walked the earth, lived a pretty decent life, taught some nice things, but believing none of that will truly save. Paul says someone must believe Jesus is Lord; someone must acknowledge Jesus as their God (John 8:58), master (John 6:68) and, of course, teacher (Matthew 28:20). Someone must see the one who suffered and died on a cross and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) as the one who is their creator (John 1:1-3), deliverer (Jeremiah 15:21) and savior (Luke 2:11). Believing in these things is all it takes for someone to pass God's test. There are no other "hoops" through which someone has to jump. It's simple.

The Apostle Paul writes, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved," (Romans 10:9). So, when God gives you His test and He asks you what is the one thing you need to pass, you now know the answer. Everyone who says Jesus is their Lord will not fail but will pass from this life into eternal life (John 3:16). There is no need to lose sleep over this nightmare. Rest well child of God.

Source

• The Bible (New International Version)

Deuteronomy 29:5 (God Kept their Sandals from Wearing Out)

Deuteronomy 29:5

Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet." 

People pray about significant things in their lives (healing for family, strength for pastors, faith for unbelievers). There are also seemingly insignificant things for which people pray, such as winning a game, getting recognition or having decent weather on the weekend. Common sense says whatever is less significant is also less important. Since this is the way humans tend to think, we can often believe God sees things the same way. It is easy for one to imagine God hearing their prayers and thinking, "You're asking about this? It's really not something I care about." When someone thinks their insignificant prayers do not matter to God, then it can be difficult to pray for anything. It can make someone wonder, "What is significant enough for God? What does God care about?"

The Isrealites might have wondered the same thing, when they were in the desert. They prayed to God for food so they would not starve, and He answered this prayer (Exodus 16:2-5). Then, the Isrealites prayed for meat, but not so they would not starve. They wanted meat, because they had "lost their appetite" for what God gave them (Numbers 11:4-6). God was angry at them for rejecting Him, but He answered their prayers and made them eat meat for "a whole month—until it came out of their nostrils," (Numbers 11:18-20). Over and over the Isrealites "willfully put God to the test," (Psalm 78:18). They "vexed the Holy One of Israel" (Psalm 78:41), and yet they continued to call on Him. They prayed for food and they probably prayed for other things, such as clothes. Some of them, though, might have thought, "God answered our prayers for meat, but we aggravated Him, and now I'm going to call on Him for a tunic and a pair of sandals. Why would God care about whether I have shoes?"

Well, whether the Isrealites thought this way or not, God heard their prayers. He said to them, "During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet," (Deuteronomy 29:5). God did not just make sure the Isrealites had food. He made sure they had shirts and shoes, and He kept them in great condition. He did this for the people who angered Him; who asked for insignificant things. He kept their stomachs filled, and He also kept their backs out of the sun and their feet above the sand. He did this "so that you might know that He is the Lord your God,” (Deuteronomy 29:6). He cared enough to cause divine intervention for sandal straps.

The Bible says, "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the
Lord establishes their steps," (Proverbs 16:9), so God took the time
to create every step someone takes, before they take it.
No footprint is unimportant to God.

God cares. He says that not even the smallest birds fall to the ground outside of His care, (Matthew 10:29). He speaks through His Word that those who follow Him should cast "all their anxiety on Him because He cares," (1 Peter 5:7). He even cares for His enemies, and He asks His followers to "pray for those who persecute them," (Matthew 5:44). God cares for the most insignificant things. 

So, when the thought crosses your mind that God does not care about this, ignore that thought. Instead, think on this: Anyone who is a child of God can boldly go before Him and ask for anything (James 1:6). "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us," (1 John 5:14), so "pray continually," (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)

Why Can't People Say What they Mean?

Life would be easier, if everyone would say what they meant. If someone could perfectly describe their thoughts, then they could effectively communicate with anyone on earth. People would know exactly what someone is thinking, without having to inspect their words. Groups could do amazing work, if they had no miscommunication. Yet, no matter how hard people try to listen to others, it seems inevitable that even the closest of friends will (at some point) misunderstand each other. Why is it apparently impossible for people to speak clearly?

The Bible reveals the origin of miscommunication. It is recorded in Genesis chapter 11. At the world's beginning everyone "had one language and a common speech," (1). With everyone on earth able to perfectly understand one another, they all gathered to build "a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that they may make a name for themselves," (4). As they built, God looked down upon their tower and the city around it. He said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them," (6). The Lord then said, "Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other," (7). Having done this, the Lord scattered all the people and caused them to stop building (8). So it was that God "confused the language of the whole world," creating different forms of speech, dialects and other aspects which lead to miscommunication (9).

God made humans unable to perfectly understand each other, so humanity would not be able to "make a name for themselves," (Genesis 11:4). What this means is the Lord did not allow people (or any person) to make themselves into a lasting name, or rather a legacy. It might appear unjust for God to be "a jealous God," making sure only His name lasts forever (Exodus 34:14). The truth, though, is it would not be right for anyone to have a name that can challenge God's. The Lord  is the good creator and sustainer of all things, so anyone who chases after another name (even their own) would be a fool. No name or legacy can compare to the Lord's. He is "far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come," (Ephesians 1:21). Everyone should "praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens," (Psalm 148:13). If only God's name is to be exalted (praised above all), then it is good that no other name comes close.

Concerning humanity's name, the Lord gave people misunderstanding, but concerning His own, He did something different. It was after Jesus (who is God) resurrected and ascended into heaven. 12 of His apostles gathered in a city in an upper room (Acts 1:12-14). What happened next is recorded in Acts chapter 2. As the apostles were praying, a great wind from heaven filled the upper room (2). Then all 12 apostles "began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them," (4). Many in the city heard the apostles and said, "How is it that each of us hears them in our native language?" (7-8). They even exclaimed, "We hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" (11). The apostle Peter then stood before them and began to preach (14-17). He did not preach his own name, but the name of "Jesus of Nazareth" (22). After the people in the city heard of Jesus' legacy, many of them committed their lives for His namesake (38,41). So it was that "all the believers were together and had everything in common," understanding each other and what was preached about God (44).

Communication is a powerful tool, however people primarily use it to explain themselves and get others to do what they want. This main way that humanity uses communication is self-serving. God, however, did not create people so they could simply serve one another (Colossians 3:23). He created people so they could glorify the Lord (Isaiah 43:7). This is one reason why God brought confusion down upon the self-obsessed who tried to build up their own legacy, but He brought understanding to those who praised Jesus' name. God's purpose for communication is for all people to speak of His wonders and glory. With this in mind, anytime humans misunderstand each other they should see it as a sign; the only human whose name should be lifted high is the name of Jesus.

One name is higher

One name is stronger

Than any grave, than any throne

Christ exalted over all

The only Saviour, Jesus Messiah

To You alone our praise belongs

Christ exalted over all

- Vertical Worship

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Open Bible Info: Name Above All Names
• John Piper: Created for Glory
• Vertical Worship: Exalted Over All

Philippians 3:1 (The Same Things Again)

Philippians 3:1

Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Okay, I'm only going to say this once: "Don't make me repeat myself." That's because people don't like saying the same things twice. They don't like describing their day as the "same old, same old." If someone teaches the same thing multiple times, their students likely say, "We've been over this already." The implication behind these phrases is quite clear: people tend to believe repeating information is a waste of time. If this is what humans tend to think, it's worth asking what God thinks about this. What does the Bible say about repeating information?

God's Word is full of repetition. Right at the start, the Bible says the same thing twice. In Genesis chapter 1 God makes the heavens, the earth and every living thing. In Genesis chapter 2 He does it again, or rather the author redescribes what God has done. The repetition doesn't stop there. Keep reading, and there are family genealogies given more than once, laws about the Sabbath repeated a few times, and multiple psalms about Moses and the Isrealites in the wilderness (Psalm 78, 90, 107 and others). God is an author who highlights the "same old, same old"; a teacher who makes His students say, "We've been over this already." God repeats Himself, yet God is good (Nahum 1:7).

Hearing about God's goodness over and over again is, evidently, a beautiful thing. When the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, he told them to "rejoice in the Lord," and he said it three to four times (Philippians 1:18, 3:1, 4:4,10). Paul knew his audience would look negatively on his repetition. Perhaps, this is why Paul writes, "It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you," (Philippians 3:1). The word for safeguard in this text is ἀσφαλής (asphalés). It commonly refers to an assuredness of fact, such as in Hebrews where it reads, "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (ἀσφαλής)," (6:19). Paul is saying to the church in Philippi, as well as all churches, it is good to repeat Biblical information. God repeats Himself, and God is good (Psalm 136:1). The repetition of God's Word acts as a safeguard (a maintaining of assuredness) to keep the Church actively rejoicing in the Lord.

With the God who will make all things new (Revelation 21:5), sometimes the best thing He can give is the "same old, same old." Jesus, who is God, "is the same yesterday and today and forever," so why would it ever be a bad thing for Him to repeat Himself? (Hebrews 13:8). The Lord commands all His followers to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2) and God isn't writing anymore words in the Bible (Revelation 22:18-19). Because of this, God's followers will naturally repeat themselves, since they are all reading from the same book forever (Matthew 5:18). This repetition, though, is not a waste of time. It should be seen as a safeguard and a beautiful thing. Afterall, God repeats Himself, and God is good (1 Peter 2:3). Hey, did I say this already?

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Bible Hub: Safeguard/Assuredness