There was no servant in the room to wash the disciples’ feet. There was no disciple in the room willing to serve by washing the others’ feet. Jesus, God with Us, served his disciples by washing their feet. 

It appears from this distance that it was a stunned and silent event as Jesus moved from one disciple to another. “He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” (verse 6). The Message helps us feel the emotion of the moment when it paraphrases Peter’s response this way:

Peter and his partners experienced a shock of insight. 

Jesus responded by saying, “What I’m doing you don’t realize now, but afterward you will understand,” (verse 7). Peter protested that Jesus would never wash his feet (verse 8). Jesus returned the volley with an important response when he said, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”

Peter could have left it right there. He could have stopped talking. Instead, he did what we often do. He had to say something. He wanted to have the last word. Leaders are like that. They say what needs to be said and others do what needs to be done.

“Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head,” (verse 9).

Jesus, the One True Leader in the room, responded directly and kindly. “One who has bathed doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean,” (verse 10). 

Baptism symbolizes the washing away of sin. Just as salvation is a one-time experience with continuing results, so is baptism. Footwashing is about fellowship. Those who choose to live as followers of Jesus and brothers and sisters in the family of God serve one another down to the most menial matters. Whatever it takes to stay together, they are willing and ready to do.

Peter wanted a second cleansing. Jesus wanted Peter and his Pals to serve one another as he had just served them. 

How do we know someone is a great leader? Great leaders serve. Great leaders do not protest too much. Great leaders assess the circumstances and take appropriate actions which honor God and bless others. Great leaders lead like Jesus. 

Kneeling at another person’s feet allows us to look in only one direction at others and that is up. Great leaders do not look down on anyone. 

You and I can become great leaders today. We do not require advanced degrees, specialized certifications, or positions of prominence to become so. We simply need to start at the feet and work up from there. Remember to reverse direction if ever you begin to look down and seek the service of others.

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I will look up in service to others.

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