Lord’s Supper
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basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with
the towel wherewith He was girded.” This action opened the eyes of
the disciples. Bitter shame and humiliation filled their hearts. They
understood the unspoken rebuke, and saw themselves in altogether a
new light.
So Christ expressed His love for His disciples. Their selfish spirit
filled Him with sorrow, but He entered into no controversy with them
regarding their difficulty. Instead He gave them an example they would
never forget. His love for them was not easily disturbed or quenched.
He knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that
He came from God, and went to God. He had a full consciousness of
His divinity; but He had laid aside His royal crown and kingly robes,
and had taken the form of a servant. One of the last acts of His life on
earth was to gird Himself as a servant, and perform a servant’s part.
Christ would have His disciples understand that although He had
washed their feet, this did not in the least detract from His dignity.
“Ye call Me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.” And
being so infinitely superior, He imparted grace and significance to
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the service. No one was so exalted as Christ, and yet He stooped
to the humblest duty. That His people might not be misled by the
selfishness which dwells in the natural heart, and which strengthens by
self-serving, Christ Himself set the example of humility. He would not
leave this great subject in man’s charge. Of so much consequence did
He regard it, that He Himself, One equal with God, acted as servant to
His disciples. While they were contending for the highest place, He
to whom every knee shall bow, He whom the angels of glory count it
honor to serve, bowed down to wash the feet of those who called Him
Lord. He washed the feet of His betrayer.
Now, having washed the disciples’ feet, He said, “I have given you
an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” In these words
Christ was not merely enjoining the practice of hospitality. More was
meant than the washing of the feet of guests to remove the dust of
travel. Christ was here instituting a religious service. By the act of our
Lord this humiliating ceremony was made a consecrated ordinance. It
was to be observed by the disciples, that they might ever keep in mind
His lessons of humility and service.