Today, Jesus washes the feed of the disciples. There are a lot of things happening here. I’ve been fascinated by what Peter says: don’t wash my feet, but then he says wash all of me. Jesus tells him that he has already had a bath. So, we spent some time talking about Jewish ritual baths. Peter refuses at first for several reasons. First, it’s tough to have your feet washed. But, second, if Jesus is washing feet, that means Peter will have to. Y’all, as hard as washing feet is, it is always when we, as Christians, can best show that amazing love of Jesus. When we wash feet, they are changed, and so are we.

Shameless plug: here’s a link to Method(ist) to the Madness, our new, hopefully entertaining podcast about church history.

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

If you’d like to receive this daily reflection on your phone, text @39110 to 81010 to sign up.

Click on the image above or this link to watch today’s video.

You can read today’s passage here.

You can podcast this reflection here. You can subscribe through Spotify or Apple Podcasts as well.

Or, if you’d like to read the transcript of the video, keep reading!

Good morning! It’s great to be with you this Friday. I hope you’re doing well today. My setup is a bit different—I’ve been a little lazy this week, recording straight from my computer instead of using my iPhone setup. But I’ve got my mic, so hopefully, it helps with the sound quality!

This moment is rich in meaning, especially in how Peter responds. When Jesus approaches him to wash his feet, Peter’s initial reaction is resistance. Why? First, because washing feet was a menial task typically reserved for servants—it was humbling and seen as demeaning. It’s as though Jesus were asking Peter to take on a task like cleaning toilets, something no one wants to do.

Peter, knowing that Jesus is his master, was uncomfortable with the idea of Jesus lowering Himself to wash his feet. But more than that, Peter realized that if Jesus, his Lord, was willing to do this, it implied that he, too, would need to humble himself and serve others in the same way. This is why he refused—washing feet symbolized taking on a task of deep humility and servitude.

But when Jesus explained that Peter’s share in His kingdom was tied to this act, Peter quickly changed his tune. He asked Jesus to wash all of him, not just his feet! Jesus, in turn, referred to the ceremonial mikvah bath, a ritual cleansing that Jews would undergo before important events. Since Peter had already been ritually cleansed, Jesus explained that only his feet needed washing.

Washing feet is hard. It’s uncomfortable for both the one washing and the one being washed. We often resist both serving and being served because it brings an intimacy we may not be ready for. Yet, this act of service changes us. When we serve others, we see them in their raw, human vulnerability, and we love them in spite of it. Through service, relationships are healed, and brokenness is mended.

In today’s world, many people don’t want to listen to Christians. But one of the ways we can restore those relationships is through service. Serving others not only shows love, but it transforms both the one who serves and the one being served.

So, whose feet can you wash today? Literally or metaphorically, how can you serve someone? When you do, it changes things—both in them and in you.

Thanks for joining me today. On Monday, we’ll pick up with John 13:21. Have a great weekend, and see you then!