- Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
- And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
- Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
- He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
- After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
- Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
- Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
- Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
- Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
- Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
- For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
- So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
- Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
- If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
- For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
- Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
- If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
In courts of celestial light, where angels tread,
Christ reigned, a crown of glory on His head.
Yet on earth, in meek array, He knelt to serve,
The Master washing feet, a curve
Of heaven bending low, where mortals dwell,
Teaching hearts with humble love to swell.
“Master and Lord,” His followers confessed,
Yet He who stars and cosmos blessed
Took towel and basin, tasks so menially sweet,
To cleanse the road-dust from their feet.
Even the one who would His trust betray
Felt the tender touch before the fray.
No act too lowly for His kingly hand,
No service too meek for His command.
From throne to threshold, from sky to sod,
The pathway trod by the Son of God.
Here lies the mystery, divine and deep:
In servant’s garb, His love did sweep.
So kneel where angels dare not claim a space,
By foot-washing grace, find His embrace.
For Christ, in glory robed, on bended knee,
Reveals the heart of divinity:
The highest One in the lowest place,
Savior of all, full of grace.