Clean

What would it look like to serve someone in a way that costs you your pride? Jesus knelt with a towel to show His disciples—and us.

“Jesus … laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel” (John 13:3–5).

The first-century world was filled with dirt and dust. Dealing with dirt provided a challenge for people in the country as well as in the city, on farms and in fishing villages. Dirt presented a challenge in daily life, health, and human interaction.

Because they wore sandals and walked on dirt, people often needed to have their feet washed when they entered a house. We can be sure that the feet of Jesus and His disciples were dirty the night they gathered to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. But it shocked the disciples when Jesus took the initiative and washed their feet.

He did this to set an example for them: “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” (vs. 14–15). Jesus also was giving them a visual image of the importance of being clean—not just clean on the outside, but on the inside as well.

Today, our world has made much progress in sanitation. But none of this outward cleanliness has changed the needs of the human heart. All around us, we see the abundance of filth—words and images that can pollute our souls. How much we need to be cleansed—washed through repentance and purified from sin, humble and ready to serve!

Reflection Question: Where can you look for an opportunity to be a servant to others?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was foot washing considered such a lowly task in Jesus’ time?

It was typically performed by the lowest household servants, since feet were dirtied from walking dusty roads in sandals—which is exactly why Jesus taking it up shocked the disciples.

What’s the difference between the “cleanliness” Jesus is describing and physical hygiene?

Jesus explicitly connects the act to inward purity (v. 10-11), using a physical picture to teach a spiritual truth about ongoing confession and cleansing, not sanitation.

What does “washing one another’s feet” look like practically today?

It’s any act of humble service that puts someone else’s need above your status or comfort—the posture matters more than replicating the specific action.