It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 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. (Jn 13)

In the ancient Near East the washing of another's feet was an unusually menial and humiliating task. Even a slave could not be required to wash his masters feet. John's account of Jesus (Jn 13:1-17) washing the disciples feet illustrates a major Gospel theme. Jesus as a servant. Jesus set the standard for us in John 13:14 as he explained "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet you also should wash one another's feet."

When the 12 were chosen by Jesus, little did they know that they would become His body in the world.(Matt 28:18-20) Earlier, predicting His death, Jesus told them, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?"(Matt 16:24-26)

What a change in the people's behavior from Jesus' Sunday (Matt 21) entrance into Jerusalem when they proclaimed Him Hosanna (Saviour), and 5 days later on Friday when they with clinched fists said that he must go.(Matt 27:22) Were these people looking for a King David, that would usher in a new glorified Israel? Didn't they recognize that he was a king, but of the kingdom of God. The time had come for the showdown. Jesus was ushering in a new covenant, and the established temple hierarchy wasn't about to allow it. Jesus got his crown, but it was a crown of thornes.(Matt 27:29)But this tragic ending of a man that could not sin, was also a great beginning. Christianity has spread through out the world. Jesus death has meant our life.

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