John: Humble Service

John 13:1-20

Humble service.

These two words, when considered alone, are hard to incorporate consistently into our interactions with others. When combined, they highlight selflessness along with genuinely meaningful actions, which is even more difficult to do regularly.

Humility isn't natural for humans. Our perspective is always influenced by self-interest. Let’s be honest—our feelings, emotions, and desires shape our thoughts and actions. 

Serving others always demands sacrifice. When I serve you, I have to set aside my time, energy, and resources that I would usually use for myself.  

Humble service. Jesus exemplifies humble service. The apostle Paul said that Jesus “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). In today’s passage, Jesus is on his way to face death, “even death on a cross.”

Jesus was celebrating the Passover with his disciples, knowing “that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father” (John 13:1a). As Jesus prepared for the cross, John says that he showed his love “to the end” (John 13:1b). Some interpret this love to the end as Jesus washing the disciples’ feet—a story we’ll look at today. But it’s better understood as the complete work of Jesus, often called the Lord’s “glorification”—his death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. Later, John will say, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us…” (1 John 3:16). 

Satan never pauses. He was very active among the religious leaders as they plotted to put Jesus on the cross, and... he was also moving among the disciples. The devil “had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him” (John 13:2). But Jesus knew that his Father oversaw all things (John 13:3).

During the meal, Jesus did something unexpected by taking on the humble role of a servant. He removed his outer clothing, tied a towel around his waist, poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet. This act was even carried out for the one who was about to betray him for money.

Washing the feet of dinner guests was traditionally the lowest servant's duty, and Peter, the outspoken leader of the disciples, strongly protested.

John 13:6-9
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

Besides being our Savior and dying on the cross for our sins, Jesus always sets an example. After he washed the feet of the Twelve, he put on his outer garments and returned to the table. Then he asked them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?” (John 13:12).  

John 13:13-16
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 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. 

By washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus took the lowest position to model humble service. He showed his disciples that if a task as menial as this was not beneath him, then they shouldn’t hesitate to perform any act of service for one another. The washing of the disciples’ feet was simply a preview of the ultimate act of service that was only hours away—Jesus taking on the sins of humanity and paying the full penalty by his sacrificial death. 

In theology, we refer to the work of Jesus on the cross as “substitutionary atonement.” Atonement means “making amends, blotting out the offense, and giving satisfaction for the wrong done; thus reconciling... and restoring the disrupted relationship.”[1] Theologian R. C. Sproul explains that Christ’s atonement involves both “substitution” and “satisfaction.” Sproul states, “In taking God’s curse upon Himself, Jesus satisfied the demands of God’s holy justice. He received God’s wrath [on sin] for us, saving us from the wrath that is to come (1 Thess. 1:10).”[2]

At this final meal, Jesus had much to share with his disciples. He reminded them of his unity with the Father. Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” The “one who sent” Jesus was the Father, who made a promise to send someone who would crush Satan’s head after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:15). John earlier wrote that God “so loved the world, that he gave his only Son...” (John 3:16). Now, that moment had arrived. 

There was one more concern weighing on Jesus’ mind during this last time together—Judas’ betrayal. Jesus already knew that Satan had “put it in the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him” (John 13:2). Earlier that evening, Peter objected to Jesus washing his feet. In response, Jesus said, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Peter replied, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” (John 13:9). Jesus said,

John 13:10-11
“The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”  For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 

Jesus mentions Judas again. He quotes Psalm 41:9 to reveal what Judas is about to do, saying, “But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me’” (John 13:18). Jesus adds, “I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he” (John 13:19).

Humble service. Jesus perfectly embodies those words. The weight of betrayal, the indescribable pain, and the wrath of the cross—Jesus endured it all—for you and me. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Time in the Word: Read and reflect on John 13:1-20. Focus on the humility and sacrificial service Jesus gave for you.

Talking to God:  How does understanding Jesus' act of washing the disciples’ feet—and ultimately laying down his life—reshape your view of what true love and leadership look like in your everyday relationships?

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