The Lord Washes His Disciples’ Feet

Knowing that his hour has come and that the Father has given all things into his hands, Jesus performs the work of a servant and washes the disciples’ feet. John intentionally places supreme authority beside radical humility. Peter first refuses, then overreacts, and Jesus teaches that receiving his cleansing is necessary for fellowship with him. Afterward Jesus interprets his own action: if Lord and Teacher serves this way, disciples must serve one another. The act is more than etiquette yet should not be forced into an Old Testament prediction; its clearest meaning comes from Jesus’ own explanation and the cross-shaped love about to unfold.