I found this painting on a church in a little village in Mexico. The text is from Jesus in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." Then Jesus continues, "and to give His life a ransom for many." But the image is from John 13 where Jesus washed the disciples' feet.
Can you imagine Jesus washing his disciples' feet? Can imagine the eternal Son of God kneeling down and scrubbing the disciples' stinky toes?
Jesus loved his disciples. Jesus demonstrated to them that real leadership requires deep humility, real love requires sacrifice, and the only way for them to be cleansed from their sins is to have their hearts washed by the Holy Spirit.
Jesus knew what Judas was about to do. Jesus knew that Judas would lead the soldiers right to him and that he would be arrested, tried, and murdered. And yet, Jesus washed Judas' feet.
Why?
Because Jesus loved his enemies. Jesus did good to those who hated him, blessed those who cursed him, and prayed for those who spitefully used him (Luke 6:27-28).
Also, Jesus washed Judas' feet to show that the good news of forgiveness and salvation and everlasting joy should be offered to all people, but tragically some will reject Jesus and the gospel.
And finally, Jesus treasured the glory of God and the will of God higher than anything else. Jesus knew that the Scriptures must be fulfilled (Mark 14:49). Jesus surrendered to the plan of his Father. Jesus knew that he would be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again (Matthew 20:18-19). Jesus was obedient to his Father to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8).
Jesus washed Judas' feet to give us an example, that we should go and do likewise (John 13:15).
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