“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” (John 13:8)
Expanded Passage: John 13:6-8
It is a common custom in Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East to remove one’s shoes when entering a home, both to help keep a house clean and show respect for the homeowner. Yet contrary to what we might assume, foot washing in ancient Israel and Palestine was not so much a common courtesy performed by the host as work done by an indentured servant or Gentile slave.
What do we learn from this? First, that serving others is never beneath us. The disciples had been debating who among them was the greatest (Mark 9:34). In contrast, service has nothing to do with rank, privilege, or popularity.
Second, service is not about who the people we serve are. Jesus’ company included Peter, who was about to deny him, and Judas, who was about to betray him. Instead, service is about making ourselves available to serve others and be ministered to by others. Peter understandably felt unworthy to have Jesus, his rabbi, wash his feet. Nevertheless, he opened his heart and mind to the lesson of his teacher, even though he was not yet completely able to realize its gravity and reap its benefits.
God’s kingdom work includes both serving and being served. And it often entails many empowering and humbling lessons that take us a lifetime to fully understand and appreciate.
Let who you are in Christ lead to serving and being served.
Laurie Dashnau is professor of English and writing, and director of the writing center at Houghton University (NY). She regularly teaches Narrative and Personal Essay, and Writing about Spiritual Experience.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
