In New Testament times, people wore sandals and walked on dusty roads. Their feet were constantly dirty. So, when a host invited guests over for dinner, they provided a servant to wash the feet of the guests using a basin of water. The servant would then dry the guests’ feet with a towel. As you can imagine, washing everyone’s dirty, smelly, sweaty feet was a disagreeable job! Yet it was a significant sign of hospitality and kindness. Once everyone’s feet were clean, the dinner would begin.

This is the context for the account in the book of John of Jesus and His disciples preparing to have their final Passover meal together. They had no servants, and none of the disciples had thought about bringing a basin, towel, and pitcher of water to wash everyone’s feet. Only Jesus had thought about it. Why? Because as Mark said, he “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

This action was only a preview of the humility He would show with his death on the cross. Jesus was the Creator of heaven and earth! Yet he washed the dirty, smelly feet of His disciples. He did so because He loved them, but also to make a point. Jesus modeled sacrificial leadership for His disciples and for us. So, here’s the question: how can we wash the feet of our neighbors today?

This is Luis Palau.