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Jesus washed his disciples’ dirty feet.
Now Jesus was fully aware that the Father had placed all things under his control, for he had come from God and was about to go back to be with him. So he got up from the meal and took off his outer robe, and took a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ dirty feet and dry them with his towel. John 13.3 – 5 (Passion Translation)
It wasn’t only symbolic; it was a real service that needed to be done. No one else had stepped up to do that. I would have been thinking: this place has been pre-arranged, why isn’t there a servant here?
On the first day of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover Lamb is sacrificed, Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Where would you like us to prepare the Passover meal for you?” So he sent two of his disciples ahead into Jerusalem with these instructions: “Make your way into the city and watch for a man carrying an earthenware pitcher of water. Follow him, and say to the owner of whatever house he enters, ‘The Teacher wants to ask you: “Do you have my room ready where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?”’ And he will show you a large upstairs room ready and with a table set. Make preparations for us there.” (Mark 14.12 – 15, Passion Translation)
Why couldn’t the owner of the house have provided a servant? Let’s assume Jesus set this up in advance but kept the place a secret for security purposes. Maybe the owner of the house offered a servant for foot-washing and other tasks when Jesus arranged the meeting place. He offered, but Jesus told him “they” would take care of it, himself planning to do the footwashing.
Do I not only step up to do what needs to be done but also arrange things so that I’ll have an opportunity to serve?
“You’ve called me your teacher and lord, and you’re right, for that’s who I am. So if I’m your teacher and lord and have just washed your dirty feet, then you should follow the example that I’ve set for you and wash one another’s dirty feet. Now do for each other what I have just done for you. (John 13.13 – 15, Passion Translatioon)