Reading the gospels about what happened in the Upper Room, I have always been intrigued by Jesus stepping into the role of a servant and washing the feet of the disciples. I remember at church revivals and youth camps where this was put into an action where we would take time to wash each other’s feet. This was meaningful to those that were in attendance. Unlike the disciples, those who were participating took showers daily, but it still was not easy for people to take their shoes off and allow someone else to wash their feet.
Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” – John 13:6-9
When looking at this scripture, most of the time we focus on what Peter says and we overlook Jesus’ initial response. “What I am doing you do not understand now.” What a powerful statement. Peter and the other disciples didn’t know what was happening at the time.
In the book of John, Jesus went on to teach His disciples for another four chapters. The headings for those teachings are as follows: Jesus Predicts His Betrayal, Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial, Jesus Comforts His Disciples, Jesus the Way to the Father, Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit, The Vine and the Branches, The World Hates the Disciples, The Work of the Holy Spirit, The Disciples’ Grief Will Turn to Joy, Jesus Prays to Be Glorified, Jesus Prays for His Disciples, Jesus Prays for All Believers.
I was surprised that all of these teachings took place in the Upper Room. But I don’t think Jesus was just talking to the Disciples when He said, “What I am doing you do not understand now.” I think each of us lack the understanding of what God is doing now. My desire during Lent is to spend time reading these four chapters so that I might better understand what took place in the room where it happened.
Brent Manning, Director of Communications
