The Humility of Jesus: He Washes the Disciples’ Dusty, Dry, Cracked Feet
Here is a more detailed linking of Jesus life before He was human through His incarnation (Philippians 2), through His life, through the Cross and back to Heaven to be by the Father’s side until the End of the Age.
Focal Point: When you really process “who Jesus was” before He became a human you begin to really GRASP what He gave up to become a human and “bear our sins for us.” He had a wonderful life filled with power, action and pleasure. So when Philipians 2 says “He was rich, but for our sakes became poor…” you can begin to understad what His “riches” were and how much He loves us to give that life up.
When you look at the throne room experience in Isaiah 6 with the angels flying overhead calling out “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty” you have to ask yourself who is this? We assume it is the Father, but this is incorrect. John 12:37-44 references this vision and clearly identifies this as Jesus.
“Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38 This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:
‘Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’
39 For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40 ‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn—and I would heal them.’ ” 41 Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. John 12:37-41
Now look at that last verse. John says that Isaiah said this statement in Isaiah 6 for only 1 reason. He saw Jesus’ Glory on the throne, high and lifted up! That is Jesus, the King of Kings, on the Throne with the Seraphim flying above His head and His robe filling the temple!
So from the connection between Isaiah 6 and John 12:41 and the fact that Jesus is “Emanuel – God with us” – I conclude that Jesus is the one interacting with humans all over the bible rather than the Father. (Of course the Holy Spirit is interacting with people all over the bible as well but we never have a picture of His form and don’t expect to.)
For these reasons, and others, I have concluded that this is Jesus on top of the Sapphire Throne that is atop the Crystal Expanse and the 4 Cherubim that is speaking to Ezekiel in Ezekiel chapter 1.
It is critical that you pray through this passage and others related to Jesus’ preexistence. When you meditate on who Jesus was before He became a human you can appreciate and understand His humility in completely new and unprecedented ways! (Pray on these if you want a glimpse: Exodus 9-11, Isaiah 6, Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 4 &5 with John 8:58) Let me say it again. Without a deep grasp of Jesus preexistence you are hindered from knowing the greatness of His humility and meekness. Both are were very unexpected revelations for the disciples and the early church relative to both the messiah and God Himself!
Step back from Ezekiel 1 for a moment and look at the entire chapter. Do you realize that the whole “thing” is a moving throne for Jesus to ride upon? It is a way to express His glory and stunning existence. Who is it that rides upon such a fantastic and marvelous living throne? The more fully you can process this the better before we continue. This one passage is worthy of many prayer walks or times of meditation. The more time you spend with Him on it the more insight, revelation and personal impact you receive.
Alright, hold that image of Jesus in your mind and let’s dig into the gospel of John. Jesus steps off that utterly awesome throne and descends into a human body, not to be an earthly king, not to rule but to serve the disciples and to actually stoop even further to wash their feet.
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” John 13:1-9
That is why this chapter is titled Meekness and Power! He rules the universe, the heavens and even the earth from His magnificent chariot-throne and then descends into our world to become a created thing, a human and then to wash the disciples feet and serve His people. One’s mind can hardly hold the extremes together in one cohesive thought pattern or framework. It stretches the opposite limits we are capable of processing. It will drive you in prayer from one end of awe inspired amazement to the other end of incomprehensible adoration. He is stunning beyond anything we know of or can conceive of. And there is no limit to who He is. There are oceans of undiscovered glory that await those who follow Him. Indeed it will take resurrected minds and emotions to even begin to comprehend and experience who He is.
The connecting link between Jesus on the chariot-throne of Ezekiel 1 to the incarnation to wash the disciple feet is Philippians 2:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
7 rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross! Philippians 2:6-8
Jesus didn’t consider equality with God something to be grasped or held onto but poured Himself out to become a servant to a fallen race who were engaging in evil and serving demons. He came to serve us.
Therefore, the more we bring biblical definition to Jesus’ life before His human life, the more we are impacted by what He gave us and this defines how committed He is to us and how much He loves us – humans!
You may also want to consider some appearances of Jesus as the Angel of the Lord in the Old Testament:
There are many reasons for concluding this is Jesus and not an Angel. Often times the Angel of the Lord will speak in the 1st person, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am about to do…” (Gen 18:17) or sometimes the Angel of the Lord will receive an offering or “worship” – no Angel would do this. (Judges 6:19). Jacob wrestles with God “face to face” Gen 32:30
Abraham w/3 Visitors – Genesis 18
Jacob wrestling w/God – Genesis 32
Gideon & the Angel of the Lord – Judges 6:11 – 23
Joshua & the Captain of the Host – Joshua 5:13 – 6:2
The three Hebrew Children thrown into the Fire – Daniel 3:24 – 25
Also Exodus 24:9 – 11 An appearance of Jesus (not the Father or Spirit)
Consider Jesus’ Humility & Meekness in light of His Power & Life:
One of the most fantastic things I find in the scriptures is where Jesus describes Himself. When He self-describes He doesn’t say, “I am power.” Although He is the ultimate and final power. He doesn’t say, “I am love.” Although the Bible definitely says “God is love.” Look at what Jesus reveals when He self describes”
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29
Of all the things that Jesus could say during the moment that He describes Himself, He chooses to highlight for all times His meekness and humility. That is completely opposite to any world leader, and mover and shaker anyone in the human or demonic realms! He is so different than anything we are used to.
In fact when He describes why He has come to earth and become a human, He says:
“… whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:27-28
Jesus highlights the fact that He came to the earth to serve, to act in humility and support others.
Focus your mind on this: Jesus doesn’t “put on” meekness or humility as a task, to be cast off later… it is WHO He is!
That is what really grips me down deep and fascinates me. We see people who humble themselves for a moment but they return to a an elevated position of dictating to others and their minds become re-filled with thoughts of themselves. But this is not so with Jesus. Gentleness, humility and meekness is who He is. Yes He can fashion a whip and cleanse the entire temple. Yes He silence the demons and expel them. Yes He can calm the raging storm and crashing waves with a word! Yes He sits upon a throne supported by 4 Cherubim of unimaginable power … because it exudes from Him! But at His core is meekness and humility.
When Jesus limited His Godhood in the incarnation it did not distort His character or personhood but rather it gave an opportunity to express Jesus’ core identity.
Consider the word picture that Jesus paints in Luke 12 about His servants who remain vigilant and ready to serve Jesus:
“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.” Luke 12:35-37
The shocking punch line of this encouragement for Jesus’ servants is that He will turn the tables on them and have them sit down. Jesus the master will dress himself to serve, much like He did when He washed their feet, and have them relax at the table and He will come and wait on them. The servants are served by the Master. It is a revelation of the heart of Jesus.
Therefore, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” That means that at the core of God’s heart is also the heart of a servant! Combine that revelation with mediation on the Throne Room in Revelation 4 & 5!
Consider several events in Jesus life that continue to reveal His humility and meekness. When Jesus is seeking lodging at the Samaritan village on the way to Jerusalem the people refuse to receive Him. Jesus leaves. No threats. No issues. No bad feelings. However, it is not so with James and John.
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” And he said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of, for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” 56 And they went to another village. Luke 9:51-56
Remember the time where Jesus delivered the demon possessed man of the region of the Gerasenes? When the towns people come out to find out why all the pigs are drown in the lake they find the demon possessed man sitting there, dressed and in his right mind there were terrified! Their whole view of reality has been shaken and they began to beg Jesus to leave their region because they are so afraid. So Jesus does. He responds to them and does what they ask. This is a bit reminiscent of Jesus’ mother asking Him to intervene at the wedding and create some wine. He submits to her. It is fascinating and has to do with His humility and meekness.
Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat… Mk 5:14-18
Remember the way Jesus dealt with the woman at the well. He gently asked her questions and drew her out. Little by little He leads her to Himself and to the “least of these” He reveals to her that He is the long awaited Messiah. Read John 4:1-28.
The place of Jesus’ birth fits with this whole theme. He was born into a despised nation that had been conquered. It was a little country outside the main stream of influential cultures, to an unknown couple, in the least town of this forgotten country. Even in that town they could not find room for Him so they used a stable with all the animals, hay and manure that is typical. Since they had nothing better they put hay into a feeding trough (manger) when He was born. (Which was actually a prophetic picture of the bread of life place in a feeding trough for all the animals (humans) to come feed upon!) A very humble birth to say the least.
His life, as noted, was a life of service even thought His words were earth shaking in power. He would “strike the earth with the rod of his mouth.” Isaiah 11:4 Meekness and power are once again combined.
How can we sufficiently imagine the shame and humility of His death? He was spit upon, slapped in the face, stuck in the face, ridiculed, dressed up in a royal purple garment with a staff, had a crown of thorns beaten into His scalp by soldiers with rods and mocked as a King! And He was the King of Kings! Hebrews 12:2 says Jesus “scorned the shame of the cross.” Then He dies and ascends to the right hand of the Mighty One until God should put all nations under His feet to establish His kingdom on earth for all times!
His humility and meekness are one of the many reason the Seraphim shout “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty” around and over His throne in Isaiah 6! They keep saying, “He is so different than anyone or anything else! He is so unique, so unique, so unique! He transcends the existence of mere created beings! He is so other than, so other than, so other than!” It is true! He is completely unique in all of the universe and all of our experience.
When He returns to the earth to drive evil off the planet during the transition to the next age, notice that He makes war based on 3 things:
“Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness;
let your right hand display awesome deeds.
5 Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
6 Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness… “ Psalms 45:3-7
It is impacting (to me at least) that one of the main 3 reason He makes war is on behalf of humility. That will be one of the main issues at the End of the Age when He confronts the Anti-Christ’s kingdom during the battle of Jerusalem.
Conclusion:
1. Jesus has a life before He became human
2. It is a “glorious” or wonderful life filled with details (Is 6, Ezekiel 1, Exod 24 and appearances as the Angel of the Lord)
3. This shows us “what He gave up” to become human and rasom people from evil to God!
4. Contrasting the Power of His previous Life with His radical humility and meekness makes Jesus “all the more desirable!”
5. Therefore walk in the 1st Commandment and Worship Him!
Email Post:
John 13:1 Let’s take a look at a familiar text and give it context relative to 2 frames of reference.
First, remember the power of the mighty one named, Jesus. On a merely human scale Jesus had the power to walk into the Temple, confront the entire system of oppression and extortion, kick over the tables of the money changers, free the animals and rebuke the entire Priestly class, “Why are you turning my Father’s house into a Business?” He restores worship to God, as a single man against the many! He goes further and demonstrates His absolute authority over the spiritual world and delivers people of evil spirits with a single word. What is unseen is completely visible to Him. He, also, demonstrates His power over nature, changing 5 loaves & 2 fish into thousands of loaves and fish. He changes regular water into wine. He commands a fish to bite Peter’s hook and supply 2 coins to pay the temple tax. Remember WHO He is.
Secondly, the fact that Jesus claimed to be God, means that He has “always existed.” This means He was alive “before” He became a baby in Mary’s womb. Isaiah 6:1 records a picture of Jesus life before He became a human. He is sitting on a throne, with angels attending Him, singing His praises and His power shakes the door posts! We know this is Jesus (vs the Father) because John 12:41 says, “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about Him.” (The passage quoted in John 12 comes from the text in Isaiah 6). Jesus make numerous appearances in the Old Testament as the “Angel of the Lord” to figures such as Abraham, Gideon, Jacob, Joshua and others. He has “a life” and is “doing stuff” way before He became a human born into this world.
Therefore, given who His is, consider the fact that He “descended” (Philippians 2:5-7) from His heavenly family (the Father & Spirit) to become an “average” human with no pomp, riches or fame… and there was a day when He took off His regular clothes, wrapped a towel around Himself and actually washed the dirty, dusty, cracked feet of His followers! The “burning one” of Ezekiel 1 descents from eternity to reveal His inner heart as that of a …. Servant!
It is shocking and a complete role reversal (as we see it) but God, in all His power, in humble at His core and is a servant!
And this is the reason He commands us to be servants… so that we may be like HIM. He doesn’t command us to be servants because it is a good principle. But so that we might be just like our Father.
“If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father!” John 14:9
