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William Fowler

New Testament

Professor Thompson

February 23, 2017

John 13:1-17

In the book of John, there is a story about Jesus in the hours before his death. It is the

story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. It is also known as the Last Supper. I believe

there are a few important lessons in this story. However, the most clearly shown lesson in this

story is that of humility. Throughout this essay I will be describing the story of John 13:1-17,

examining the words and meaning of Jesus teaching, and also sharing my beliefs on the

scripture.

Hours before Jesus was crucified, he had an evening meal with his disciples. While Jesus

knew he was soon to be betrayed by Judas, his disciples were unaware of that their savior was

soon to be killed. Jesus knew that this was all in Gods plan and so he had no fear. Jesus knew

that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was

returning to God, (New International Version, John 13:3). During the final meal with his

disciples, Jesus got up from the table, removed his clothing, filled a bowl with water, and

wrapped a towel around his waist. He then began to wash each of his disciples feet and dry them

with the towel he had wrapped around his waist. While all of his disciples were surprised by

Jesus actions, they all went along with it, except for Simon Peter. Watching Jesus wash the feet

of another person, which was a common job only done by a person of low status, like a servant,

confused Simon Peter. Jesus, who was a person of the highest status, was not someone who

would commonly wash the feet of another. Simon Peter did not want his savior to wash his feet
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because he thought too highly of him to treat him as a servant. However, Jesus explained to him

that it was necessary for his teaching.

While Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, Simon Peter said, Lord, are you going to

wash my feet? (John 13:6). Jesus then answered, You do not realize now what I am doing, but

later you will understand. (John 13:7). Simon Peter then tells Jesus that he shall never wash his

feet. I believe that Simon Peter responded in this way because of how much respect he had for

Jesus. Cleaning the feet of another was not the job of someone of Jesus status; it was for a

peasant or servant. Simon Peter believed Jesus was above washing the feet of another person.

Simon Peter also believed that it was not Jesus job as the teacher to serve him, but it was Simon

Peters job as the student to serve Jesus. Simon Peter couldnt completely comprehend why the

Son of God would do the duties of peasants and servants. Jesus responds by saying Unless I

wash you, you have no part with me. (John 13:8) Once Simon Peter realized the importance of

having his feet washed by Jesus, he then wanted not only his feet washed, but also his entire

body. He asked Jesus to wash his hands and his head, as well as his feet. I think Simon Peter

quickly changed his response from not wanting his feet washed, to wanting his entire body

washed because he wanted to have a relationship with Jesus. I believe that Simon Peter was still

not understanding the meaning of Jesus actions. I think Simon Peter saw this as a chance to be

cleansed by Jesus and a way to grow closer to Jesus. However, Jesus replied to him that only the

washing of his feet was necessary. I do not believe that cleansing was the purpose of Jesus

actions. I believe that this was a lesson of humility that Jesus was trying to teach his disciples

before he was to be crucified. Jesus was trying to instill the value that no man is above serving

others.
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I think Jesus intention for the act of washing his disciples feet was to demonstrate and

teach the value of humility. Since this was in his final hours and one of his final teachings, this

was an incredibly important lesson that his disciples clearly needed to understand. Simon Peters

response to Jesus actions made it clear the he and the other disciples did not understand the

meaning of humility. Jesus was a teacher that led by example, and since his time on earth was

limited, he needed to make his message as clear as possible. I think the Son of God performing

the work of a peasant was a good way to do that. Jesus would never ask his disciples to do

something that he was not willing to do himself. The only way to completely instill the value of

humility into his disciples was for Jesus to demonstrate it himself. Jesus actions showed his

disciples that no one, even the Son of God, is too powerful, wealthy, or attractive to serve others.

Jesus disciples perceived him as better than them in every way, but Jesus said very truly I tell

you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him,

(John 13:16). By saying this, Jesus was telling his disciples that even the man they call Teacher

and Lord was not above serving others, and if Jesus is not above serving others, the disciples

certainly are not above serving others. Jesus said, now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have

washed your feet, you also should wash one anothers feet, (John 13:14). I think Jesus meant

this literally and figuratively. He does want his disciples to wash the feet of others, like a servant,

but he also wants them to serve people in other ways. He wants his disciples to have the humility

to serve anyone, regardless of their status, wealth, or any other worldly attributes.

I also think Jesus wanted to show his disciples that you do not have to like someone to be

able to serve them. I learned in church that Judas, who betrayed Jesus later that day, was present

at the Last Supper. Jesus washed the feet of a person he knew was going to ultimately betray

him. Jesus disciples did not know at the time that Jesus was washing the feet of his enemy, but
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they would soon understand what it truly means to have humility. Jesus told Simon Peter you do

not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand, (John 13:7). Jesus wanted his

disciples to have the humility to be able to serve anyone and everyone, even their enemies. Jesus

set the example for his disciples of exactly what he wants them to do.

There are many ways to apply the spirit of this teaching in my life, but that doesnt mean

it is always easy to do. I think volunteering or donating to a homeless shelter or any other

nonprofit organization is a good way to demonstrate humility. That shows that my social class

does not put me above anyone. Most people my age, including myself, think they know more

than they actually do. With this mindset it is hard to open your ears and listen to others because

you think you already know what they are about to tell you. One way I can demonstrate humility

in my life is to be more teachable. To admit that I do not know something and need help from

someone else has never been easy for me and it is something I have been trying to improve on. I

have grown up thinking I have more knowledge than I actually do. Having that mentality really

weakened my ability to listen and learn from others because I thought I already knew how to do

it myself. Being more teachable is something I really want to improve on in my life. It is an

extremely important characteristic to have.

Another way to demonstrate humility in my life today is to recognize my flaws and not

pretend like they dont exist. I am guilty of acting like my flaws dont exist and just focusing on

my strengths. Using this attitude is a guarantee to not being able to grow as a person. When

ignoring your flaws and only focusing on your strengths you are wasting time admiring things

you are good at instead of getting better in areas where you arent as strong. I have been trying

extremely hard to better myself by identifying my flaws and working on them so they eventually

become my strengths. Admitting that I have many flaws, and that I am far from being perfect is
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something I have been striving for but at times fall short of. It is difficult to admit your flaws, but

by doing this I will become a much more well rounded person.

While there are many ways for my current self to demonstrate humility, I believe my

future self will have far more opportunities. As I get older I will find myself in more major roles

to demonstrate that I am not above doing any job. In the future I see myself taking on leadership

positions at my job and also at home by being a father. Both at my job and at home will require

leadership but also humility. As a leader in the workplace I know that employees work much

better for a boss who does not believe that he above doing basic paper work or making his own

copies or stapling his own papers. That is the kind of leader that I aspire to be in the workplace

when I am older. I aspire to be the leader that does not ask anything of my employees that I am

not willing to do myself.

When I am lucky enough to have children, I will have to demonstrate humility to

my kids if I am going to instill that important value in them. As the father it is easy to have your

kids do chores like taking out the trash, washing the dishes, and vacuuming the floor. However,

as one of the leaders in the house it is important to show my kids that I am not above doing those

jobs. It is also important to show my children humility outside of our family. Being nice and

respectful to workers like waiters at restaurants, cashiers, and janitors will help show my children

how to have humility in everyday life.

John 13:1-17 tells the story of how Jesus taught his disciples humility. By washing their

feet, he showed that no man is above serving others. Jesus taught his disciples to serve everyone

despite their social class, wealth, looks, or power. He taught them that they should even serve

their enemies. Humility was not just important before Jesus was crucified; It is still important

today, and I try to demonstrate it in my everyday life.

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