The other day I was reading John 13. One of the more popular and humbling sections of the New Testament would certainly be the first 17 verses of this chapter. Christ washing of the disciples feet brings to mind amazing imagery. The Son of God (or God himself, if you like) on his knees scrubbing the garbage off the feet of his own students, all the while knowing they would abandon him; some more completely than others.
I've probably read this passage 100 times before, but I was struck in a new way when I read a portion of it this time. Verses 3-5 gave me a glimpse into the character of Jesus that I've missed before, and I'm still not quite sure what to make of it. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
The Greek word for "knew" in verse three is from the root word "eido" (in this case it is "eidos"), which means "to see." This is interesting because this is always translated "to know or perceive," as it is here, as opposed to the literal "to see." This is because this word was expressing the idea of "seeing" conceptually, as in the phrase "I see what you mean." So here, instead of saying "Jesus knew," we could more literally say "Jesus fully comprehended...," or "Jesus sees the ultimate meaning behind..." And what we have Jesus fully comprehending is the fact that God the Father "had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God."
Now, I certainly believe Christ knew exactly who he was, and what his purpose was on Earth prior to this moment. But this moment seems to be almost an emotive response to the all the stressful variables going on inside Christ's head that evening. Christ knows his crucifixion in near. He's in a room with all his closest friends. He knows these disciples are going to be entrusted with an amazing task when he's gone. He knows they still lack spiritual maturity. He know's they will abandon him. He know's Judas will betray him. Maybe the disciples are squawking, as they so often did, about things that really didn't matter (who's the greatest, sitting on his left and right). He's hungry, tired, and probably has filthy feet himself.
And now we get to the amazing part: Christ's response. This is what stood out to me so powerfully. At this very emotional moment, his direct response to understanding the implications of what God was going to do through him, was to get on his knees and wash the feet of his disciples. Why this act? Why was this the most proper response to Christ's understanding? Maybe Christ wanted to get their attention in a dramatic fashion. We all need to be reminded of the need for humility within our own lives. After all, all the "good" we do should be attributed to God, not ourselves. Maybe Christ simply saw a genuine practical need at the moment and he filled it, while directing their hearts to him at the same time.
Ultimately what Christ did, did accomplish those things, but they were not the main reason he did it. The main reason Christ made this decision is found in a vague manner a few verses later. Verses 7-8: Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8 "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." Jesus Christ washed his disciples feet at this very moment because it was the most natural way for them to understand in the finite sense what he was going to do for them in the infinite. Christ's blood is the only atonement with the power to perfectly cleanse us for all eternity. It is only through Christ's blood that the dirt and grime, the sins and shortcomings, are washed away and we can be blessed with the greatest opportunity of all: to bask in the presence of our God and creator forever.
So, the question becomes: have you been washed by the precious blood of the lamb of God? If so, do you live like it daily? If you have not come to God through Christ, why not? Jesus Christ calls us all to life fulfilling purpose and personal peace on Earth and to eternal peace in Heaven. The God of the universe is not afraid of your sins. I serve a God with all power and authority who is willing to get on his hands and knees and scrub the feet of the very people he created. Why? For you. So you could understand a little bit better, a love so unconditional that it doesn't exist outside the realm of our Triune God.
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