By this......

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.“ ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Thursday before Good Friday is known as Maundy Thursday. The meaning of the word maundy, which comes from the Latin mandatum, is “command.” The command being the new one that Jesus gave to His friends on the night before He died: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34)

On that night Jesus celebrated the passover feast with His disciples. This passover was special as it foreshadowed what He will do on the cross for the sins of mankind, fulfilling the prophecies told in the Old Testament, beginning with Genesis 3:15. Many lessons can be drawn from this particular event, but for now I would like to consider the meaning behind Jesus washing the feet of His disciples that night.

In those days, walking on the roads of Palestine made it necessary that feet be washed before a communal meal. The task is usually done by the a servant of the lowest rank. But here, none of the disciples took the initiative. But rather, their conversation was, "Who is the greatest amongst them".

The Bible tells us that Jesus got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:4-5

First it speaks of the great condescension of the second person in the trinity. Paul describes this humility in very succinct but profound terms in Philippians 2:7-8 - rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Jesus humbled Himself and became a servant, doing the lowliest task that a servant would do. He was obedient. 

He who knew no sin became sin for us. 2 Cor 5:21.

I am reminded of the lyrics of a song which reads:

I'm forgiven because you were forsaken;

and I'm accepted you were condemned.

I'm alive and well your spirit is within me; 

because you died and rose again.

Amazing love how can can it be that you my king would die for me; amazing love I know its true 

that it's my joy to honor you

Humility, servanthood and obedience are three of the greatest virtues of a true child  of God, reflecting the very nature of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Secondly it talks about the washing of our sins and the continuous sanctification process. Just as Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, we have been washed by the blood of the lamb. This is once and for all. We have been forgiven and made right with God. And the day we had accepted Jesus as our Lord, the scantificaltion process began and we are daily renewed by the"washing of the feet" and not the whole body, and cleansed as we come before Him.

Thirdly, Jesus said, “I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” John 13:15

Now I as a child of God, need to walk in humility, be a servant leader and be obedient to what God tells me to do. 

What does that mean in practical terms:

• Serving one another in lowliness of heart and mind - Gal 5:13
• Building one another up in humility and love - 1 Thess 5:11
• Forgiving one another Col 3:13

Jesus made a profound statement in John 15:35 - By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

The condescension of Jesus took Him to the cross for you and me. Where will we go for Jesus?

Be a little Christ today.