A Perfect Example

Did you know that the human ankle and foot contain more than 100 muscles, tendons, and ligaments, 26 different bones, and 33 separate joints? No wonder our feet are so versatile. For some people, feet even take the place of hands. Jessica Cox, a motivational speaker from Arizona, was born without arms and uses her feet not only to ambulate but also to drive a car, ride a bicycle, and propel herself while scuba diving. She’s the first armless person to earn a black belt in taekwondo and also the first to earn a pilot license. She can even insert and remove her contact lenses with her feet.

When Jesus knelt before His disciples with a basin of water and began to wash away the dust and dirt, He was focused on their soiled hearts rather than their soiled feet. Indeed, His symbolic act overflowed with a deeper meaning.

The disciples had been focused on themselves and on achieving positions of honor in His kingdom. They had forgotten what Jesus had earlier revealed as the secret of being truly great: “Whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matthew 20:27, 28).

In order to receive the close communion with Christ that we so desperately need, our hearts need to be humble—washed clean of selfish ambition, resentfulness, pride, and jealousy. Only Jesus can accomplish this in us. In washing His disciples’ feet, the King of all creation took “the form of a bondservant” (Philippians 2:7) and gave us the perfect example of humble service to others.

The ordinance of foot washing commemorates Christ’s condescension from heaven’s glory, fulfills His instruction to “do as I have done to you” (John 13:15), and puts our hearts in the right spirit to honor Him by serving others.

Apply It:

Imagine being a disciple in the upper room and having Jesus wash your feet. How would you feel?

Dig Deeper:

1 Corinthians 11:27–29; John 13:16, 17; Galatians 5:13

Key Bible Texts

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:14 KJV)