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After the
recent events discussed in the previous chapter, it was clear to Jesus that this
would be the last Passover he would spend with his beloved disciples. You may
recall that he had come to this decision when the God-fearing Greeks sought him
out. The content of this chapter comes on the heels of the previous
confrontation with the hoi Ioudaioi, and Jesus’ presentation of himself as the
good shepherd. There he accused the current leadership of Israel of being the
evil shepherds who did not care for the sheep. This verse begins by stating that
as the Good Shepherd of Israel, Jesus loved his own sheep with the highest
commitment and dedication possible.
2 During supper, when the
devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to
betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his
hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from
supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his
waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet
and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around
him.
It is clear
in this passage, one of his last interactions with his disciples that Jesus
wanted to personally model something very important. However, it is crucial that
we don’t see this as simply his personal example for all believers (while the
principle of course applies to everyone). The supper was very special, because
it was one of Jesus’ last training sessions with the new leadership of Israel he
was about to leave in his place. This is in contrast to today, when in many
churches apostles and their office are not considered to be of much
importance.
The number twelve was not coincidental. Jesus chose twelve
apostles because his plan included the full renewal of Israel. The 12 heads of
the tribes of Israel were to be replaced by the 12 Jewish apostles who would
lead Israel into the renewed future defined by redemption.
Just read this
description of the New Jerusalem:
“It had a large, high wall with twelve
gates. Twelve angels were at the gates, and the names of the twelve tribes of
Israel were written on the gates. There were three gates on the east, three
gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. The
wall of the city had twelve foundations, and the twelve names of the twelve
apostles of the lamb were written on them.” (Rev.21:12-14)
So as we read
in vs. 3 “knowing that that the Father had given all things into his hands”
Jesus rose up to wash up the feet of his disciples. As we noted earlier, this
was one of the last and most important leadership training sessions he would
have with those who were to become the good shepherds of Israel. They were to
rule Israel with compassion, care and a sense of ownership. This was in contrast
to the “bad shepherds” Jesus had come to replace. We must not move forward
before at least mentioning the fact that God had given everything into Jesus’
hands did not mean that now people should serve him (a rather logical
conclusion), but that He should now serve them.
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6 He
came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus
answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will
understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered
him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to
him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to
him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is
completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew
who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” 12 When
he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he
said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher
and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher,
have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have
given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to
you.
Peter makes his opposition known by simply voicing the
bewilderment of other disciples. Jesus answers him that unless he lets Jesus
wash his feet, Peter would not be able to share in the crucial service of the
good shepherds. Peter, perhaps, thinking that Jesus is talking about ceremonial
water cleansing offers to go through the entire ceremony (mikvah). Jesus
specifies that he does not have the water ceremony in mind, rather that he only
requires his leader-servants to have hearts of humility and utter commitment to
serve God’s people. Jesus would later challenge Peter by the context of
Ezekiel’s prophecy of the evil of shepherds of Israel: “Feed my sheep!”
(Ezek.34)
16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater
than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent
him.
It was either the task of the youngest family member or a
servant to wash the dusty feet of newly arrived guests coming into a house from
the outside. Jesus carried out the job of the servant. The disciples were Jesus’
servants. The conclusion was inescapable. If he did it, how much more should
they be willing to do the same! They must become trustworthy and not
self-seeking to be able to truly be shepherds of God’s people –
Israel.
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do
them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the
Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against
me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take
place you may believe that I am he.
Though this is not his
focus, Jesus predicts future events. Everything was done so that the Apostles
would be strengthened in their faith before a time of very difficult service
(for most ending with martyrdom) that lay ahead of
them.
20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I
send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent
me.”
In this concluding remark, Jesus once again shows the
importance of the twelve apostles he was leaving in his place. He gave them all
the authority necessary to rule. Receiving them would mean receiving Jesus; just
as receiving Jesus meant receiving his Father. It follows, therefore, that
whoever receives one of the twelve apostles receives God
Himself.
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