“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14–15 NLT)

It was one thing for Mary to wash Jesus’ feet in John 12. But when Jesus washes His disciples’ feet in John 13, He blurs the lines between servant and master. He makes us rethink what it means to be great.

Washing feet was the job of the lowliest servants. It was unpleasant, for one thing. People walked great distances in Jesus’ day. In sandals. On dirty roads. That were used by animals too. And when they reached their destinations, their feet were not a pretty sight. Or smell.

It was humiliating as well. To wash someone’s feet, you had to kneel before that person. You had to assume a posture of a servant. You had to get your hands dirty.

So it was the perfect way for Jesus to show His disciples what it means to follow Him. One of the disciples’ favorite pastimes was arguing about which of them would be the greatest in God’s kingdom (see Matthew 18:1; Mark 10:35–45; Luke 22:24–27). By performing such a lowly task, Jesus communicated to them (and to everyone who follows Him), “This is what greatness really looks like. If you want to be My disciple, no act of service is beneath you. You can’t feed My sheep and feed your ego at the same time. The greatest in My kingdom are the quickest to humble themselves.” He wants His followers to be recognizable by our sacrificial love. This is especially important for people who want to be leaders. The most effective leaders are also the humblest servants.

Jesus’ humble act of service is even more amazing when you consider that one of the men whose feet He washed was about to betray Him and another was about to deny even knowing Him.

Jesus wasn’t blindsided by Judas Iscariot’s betrayal. He knew what was in His disciple’s heart. Judas’ treachery was part of God’s plan. And when Jesus announced that one of them would betray Him, Simon Peter was quick to show his “bold” discipleship. He motioned for John to ask Jesus who the traitor was. Maybe he figured it was up to him to stop the betrayal.

When Jesus told the group that He would be with them only a little while longer, they misunderstood. They thought He was going on a journey without them. Again, Peter had the boldest reaction. “‘But why can’t I come now, Lord?’ he asked. ‘I’m ready to die for you’” (verse 37 NLT).

He must have been stunned by Jesus’ reply: “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me” (verse 38 NLT).

Discipleship involves more than bold words. It involves standing up when you really, really want to lay low. Refusing to abandon your convictions, even when people are ridiculing them. Coming alongside people others reject. Knowing what’s right and risking humiliation to defend it. Being willing to sacrifice whatever is important to you for Jesus’ sake.

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