Why
Did He
Do It?
D
“During the meal Jesus got up, removed
his outer garment, and wrapped a towel
around his waist. He put some water into
a large bowl. Then he began washing his
disciples’ feet and drying them with the
towel he was wearing.” (John 13:4,5)
Why did Jesus start His last meal by
washing His disciple’s feet? Why did Peter
get so upset by this? Many sermons have
been given on this question. Is there any
way we can better understand what was
happening? The answer is, “Yes!”
Our picture shows an ancient foot-bath
found in Israel. After walking hot dusty
roads, the chance
to wash your feet
was very welcome.
Because of this,
providing
water
for a guest was
the least thing you
could do. However,
actually
washing
someone else’s feet
was thought to be
very menial work
that only the lowest
slave would do.
Jewish people at the time of Jesus had no
custom of washing feet at the Passover
(Jesus last supper on earth).
In Jesus’ times, disciples would serve
their rabbi in many ways. However,
untying their master’s shoes was thought
of as much too lowly a thing to do. In
fact, it was considered too lowly even for
ordinary servants; it was said that only
‘Canaanite slaves’ would do such a thing.
This is why John the Baptist says this
about Jesus, “Someone more powerful
is going to come. And I am not good
enough even to stoop down and untie
his sandals.” (Mark 1:7) John was saying
that Jes