Tension in the Room
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. John 13:3-5, NASB.
Tension filled the room.
The disciples, Luke tells us, had been arguing about which of them was the greatest as they journeyed toward their Passover meal (Luke 22:24). Thus by the time they entered the room they were already agitated. More than a bit of pushing and jostling occurred as they seated themselves. Judas and John managed to score a victory over the equally aggressive Peter, with Judas gaining the place to Jesus' left and John to His right. They all wanted the most important positions.
The tension didn't dissipate after they took their seats. After all, there was something missing. It wasn't the water pitcher or the basin. They were in place. But there was no servant to wash their feet. On the dirt paths and roads of the day, a traveler's feet would be dusty upon arrival in the dry season and muddy during the wet. Animal waste fouled every street and path. As a result, on festal occasions a servant washed the participants' feet.
But there was no servant. As the disciples looked around the table, each determined that he would not assume that humiliating role. You could feel tension in the air as they made no move to serve one another. Jesus, well aware of the dynamics, merely waited and watched to see what they would do.
In that explosive context He finally arose, girded on the towel, poured the water into the basin, and began to wash each disciple's feet.
What a demonstration! Here He was, "knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands" and that He would soon be sitting at His right hand in heaven, yet playing the part of the servant.
Jesus, sorrowful at the attitude of His followers, demonstrates the lesson that they need most. His whole life had been one of unselfish service. And now He had one last opportunity to demonstrate that principle in a way they would never forget.
Lord, there is tension in my heart also. I struggle between the principles of Jesus and those of the disciples. Help me.
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. John 13:3-5, NASB.
Tension filled the room.
The disciples, Luke tells us, had been arguing about which of them was the greatest as they journeyed toward their Passover meal (Luke 22:24). Thus by the time they entered the room they were already agitated. More than a bit of pushing and jostling occurred as they seated themselves. Judas and John managed to score a victory over the equally aggressive Peter, with Judas gaining the place to Jesus' left and John to His right. They all wanted the most important positions.
The tension didn't dissipate after they took their seats. After all, there was something missing. It wasn't the water pitcher or the basin. They were in place. But there was no servant to wash their feet. On the dirt paths and roads of the day, a traveler's feet would be dusty upon arrival in the dry season and muddy during the wet. Animal waste fouled every street and path. As a result, on festal occasions a servant washed the participants' feet.
But there was no servant. As the disciples looked around the table, each determined that he would not assume that humiliating role. You could feel tension in the air as they made no move to serve one another. Jesus, well aware of the dynamics, merely waited and watched to see what they would do.
In that explosive context He finally arose, girded on the towel, poured the water into the basin, and began to wash each disciple's feet.
What a demonstration! Here He was, "knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands" and that He would soon be sitting at His right hand in heaven, yet playing the part of the servant.
Jesus, sorrowful at the attitude of His followers, demonstrates the lesson that they need most. His whole life had been one of unselfish service. And now He had one last opportunity to demonstrate that principle in a way they would never forget.
Lord, there is tension in my heart also. I struggle between the principles of Jesus and those of the disciples. Help me.
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