Jn 13:1-15
1Before the feast of Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to pass from this world to the Father. He loved his own in the world and he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already induced Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot, to hand him over. So, during supper, 3fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, 4he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied it around his waist. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” 7Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.” 8Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.”
9Simon Peter said to him, “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.” 10Jesus said to him, “Whoever has bathed has no need except to have his feet washed, for he is clean all over; so you are clean, but not all.” 11For he knew who would betray him; for this reason, he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12So when he had washed their feet [and] put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? 13You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. 14If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet. 15I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
Jesus took off his outer garments. Aside from the washing of the disciples’ feet, this act showed Jesus’ humility and generosity. We love to dress ourselves up. Some people bolster their egos with titles and degrees and a long resumé. Others insist on being addressed properly.
Jesus takes off his outer garments. Though in the form of God, says Paul, Jesus does not regard equality with God, empties himself, takes the form of a slave, and humbles himself, becoming obedient to death on a cross (cf Phil 2:6-8). Beneath his outer garments is the simple, loving, and humble Jesus who loves so much that he bends and washes the disciples’ feet.
Before we can wash one another’s feet, we must set aside our pride and leave our egos behind.