Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an example of humble service to each other.

John 13:1-17

13 When it was the evening before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that it was time for him to leave this world and to return to his Father in heaven. He loved us who were his disciples. He knew we would continue to live here in this world, so now he showed us how completely he loved us. 2 We were eating the Passover meal. ◄The devil/Satan► had already suggested to Judas Iscariot (OR, Judas, the man from Kerioth Town), the son of Simon, that he should ◄betray Jesus/enable Jesus’ enemies to seize him►. 3 But Jesus knew that his Father had given to him complete authority to control the situation. He knew that he had come from God and would soon return to God. 4 But before he left us, he wanted to show us how we should love each other. So he got up from where he was eating. He took off his outer cloak and wrapped a long towel around his waist, as a slave would do. 5 Then he poured some water in a basin. He began to wash our feet, and then dry them with the towel that he had wrapped around himself.

6 When he came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, it is not right for you [RHQ] to humble yourself by washing my feet!” 7 Jesus replied to him, “Now you do not understand the meaning of what I am doing, but you will understand later.” 8 Peter said, “I will never, ever, allow you to wash my feet!” Jesus replied to him, “If I do not wash you, you cannot continue ◄to be my disciple/to belong to me►.” 9 So Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, in that case, do not wash only my feet. Wash my hands and my head, too!” 10 Then, to show him that after God had cleansed people from being guilty for sin, they needed only for God to forgive their daily sins [MET], Jesus said to him, “Those who have recently bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they get dirty very quickly on the dusty roads. The rest of their bodies are clean. Similarly, I have made you disciples free/clean from the guilt of your sins, although not all of you are free from guilt.” 11 He knew which one of us was going to betray him. That is the reason he said, “Not all of you are free from guilt.”

12 After he finished washing our feet, he put his cloak back on. Then he sat down and said to us, “Do you understand what I have done for you? 13 You show that you respect me by calling me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’. You are right to say that, because I am your teacher and your Lord. 14 But if I, who am your teacher and your Lord, have washed your feet, you ought to serve each other by doing things like washing each other’s feet. 15 I have made myself an example for you in order that you should humbly serve each other as I have done for you. 16 Listen to this carefully: A servant is not greater than his master. A messenger is not greater than the one who has sent him. So, since you are not greater than I am, you should not be proud and unwilling to serve each other. 17 Since you now know these things, God will be pleased with you if you do them.”