We are here to re-create, in abbreviated form, the events of an evening two thousand years ago, when Jesus and a small band of his followers met to observe the LORD's Passover in obedience to God's command through Moses.
Exod 12:14 This is a day you are to commemorate; for the generations to come you shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD—a lasting ordinance.
As the disciples gather with Jesus to celebrate the Passover seder, they know that this night is different from all other nights. The liturgy reviews God's deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The participants eat bitter herbs to remind them of the bitterness of bondage and matzah (unleavened bread) to recall the haste of Israel's departure. It is not a somber occasion, though, for the evening has a festive atmosphere, with four cups of wine representing different aspects of divine intervention. The participants recite the exodus story, sing psalms, pray, and discuss the significance of God's grace.
On this particular Passover, though, Jesus will do things a little differently. He will take the matzah and the third cup of wine, and he will give them an additional significance that points to God's deliverance from another kind of bondage. At every Passover thereafter, his disciples will remember their physical redemption from slavery and their spiritual redemption from sin. This night is different from all other nights, even from other Passovers.
Nevertheless, Jesus must prepare them in at least one more way for what lies ahead. The apostles have heard his instruction first hand and have witnessed his numerous miracles. After his death, people will look to them for guidance. They will no longer just be disciples but teachers in their own right, responsible for many more people than ever took part in Jesus' earthly ministry. The temptation to capitalize on that role and to abuse their responsibility will be significant.
They have already exhibited an interest in position and power and, on several occasions, Jesus has had to adjust their priorities.
Matt 18:4 ...whoever humbles himself like [a] child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 20:26b ...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant[.]
Matt 23:12b ...whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Earlier this same evening "a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest" (Luke 22:24). So here, at his last seder before the crucifixion, Jesus addresses the issue one more time.
This is contrary to the normal custom and astonishes his followers. Disciples takes care of their teacher's needs, as Jesus' disciples had done for almost three years, not vice versa. Jesus' action, though, is even more radical, for there are limits to what a teacher can expect from his students. You see, the relationship of disciple to rabbi is identical to that of servant to master, with one exception: The student does not have to untie his rabbi's shoes or (by implication) wash his rabbi's feet.
By washing their feet, Jesus places himself in a position below that of a disciple, taking the role of a servant . Is it any wonder that Peter reacts so strongly?
John 13:8a "No...you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus indicates that for Peter to refuse his master's service constitutes rejection of the master himself.
John 13:8b ..."Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
Even after Jesus finishes washing their feet and the disciples get past their initial shock, they are still puzzled. What is the point of this humiliating display?
John 13:14 Now that I, your [Master] and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15a I have set you an example.... 16 I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Although the Passover celebration recalls the past, this night—even this Passover with Jesus—is different from all other nights. The rabbi is preparing his disciples for the future, when the reform movement he has begun expands beyond his small band of followers. However their reputations may grow, as part of the original twelve, they must never allow pride to obscure their true position in God's Kingdom... as servants of the one who served them.
Footwashing is a way of demonstrating the lordship of Jesus, that because no servant is greater than his master, no act of service is below the status of a disciple. While most churches do not practice it is emblematic of other ways Jesus' followers are to put others above themselves. What opportunities have you had to serve the needs of others in the congregation since the last time you observed communion? ...How have you responded—eagerly, grudgingly, not at all? ...As you prepare to receive the elements, I encourage you to meditate on Paul's description in Phil 2 of Jesus' willingness to meet your greatest need.
Phil 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be [retained], 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
As you have opportunity to serve the needs of others in the congregation, is your attitude the same as that of Christ Jesus?
For the Bibliography and Endnotes see the pdf here.
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Jim Skaggs