1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist.

John 13:1-4 (ESV)

Jesus’ public ministry has concluded. The remainder of His time on earth, less than a week, will be exclusively with His disciples. These next chapters give us an amazing peek into His relationship with the disciples and, the Father.  

Loving servant

It starts with Jesus setting an example of love through serving. Jesus knew that He was about to be killed – through no fault of His own. He also knew Judas would betray Him. John records that Jesus loved His disciples – all of them – and now would love them to the very end (of His life). 

How did Jesus demonstrate His love? First, in this scene, He laid aside his outer garments, took a towel and tied it around His waist then washed His disciples feet. This was a job for servants of the household or, the master of the house if there were no servants. Second, and most importantly, He became the Passover Lamb and shed His innocent blood for them, for us. And He did this, knowing He is God! 

Philippians 2:6-8 is a striking parallel:

6 who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.

Jesus laid aside His outer garments = He emptied Himself. He tied a (servants) towel around His waist = took the form of a bond-servant.

Feast of Passover

What is this Feast of Passover? It’s one of three pilgrimage holy festivals for the Jews, Passover commemorates the Exodus of Israel from slavery in Egypt. In particular, the final plague, the killing of the first-born by the angel of death. Israelites who, in faith, killed a lamb and applied the blood on their doorposts were spared. Christ became the sacrificial Lamb of God whose blood, applied to us (spiritually) spares us from God’s wrath. “As symbolized by the original Passover sacrifice in the Old Testament, Christ’s death atones for the sins of His people; His blood rescues us from death and saves us from slavery.” (gotquestions.org)

<- Reflection ->

• This is the most difficult task for mankind – being a servant. Our pride is repulsed at the idea of serving others. God, help us to follow Jesus’ example.