John 13:1-17

It was the day before the Passover festival, and Jesus knew that the time had come to leave this world and go to his Father. He had loved those in the world who were his own, and he now demonstrated his complete love for them. It was during supper, and the devil had already put the thought of betraying Jesus into the mind of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. Jesus knew that the Father had placed everything under his authority, and that he had come from God and was going back to God. So Jesus stood up from eating supper, took off his robe and wrapped a towel around his waist. He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who asked him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You won't realize what I'm doing for you now. But one day you'll understand.” “No!” Peter protested. “You'll never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “If I don't wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord, wash not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Simon Peter exclaimed. Jesus responded, “Those who have had a bath only need to wash their feet and then they're clean all over. You are clean—but not all of you.” For he knew who was betraying him. That's why he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After Jesus had washed their feet, he put his robe back on, and sat down. “Do you understand what I've done to you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that's who I am. So if I, your Teacher and Lord, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another's feet. I have set you an example, so you should do just as I did. I tell you the truth, servants are not more important than their master, and the one sent is not greater than the sender. Now that you understand these things, you will be blessed if you do them.