What would you do if it was your last week on Earth?
Most people would probably eat a bunch of pizza, travel to a couple bucket-list locations, and spend time with their family and friends. Jesus chose to wash the disciples’ feet.
It’s important to look at this chapter as a whole. Towards the end, Jesus predicts the betrayal of Judas (13:26) and the denial of Peter (13:38). This is unbearably awkward. These guys have spent every waking moment together for the past three years, but Jesus is now telling them that they will completely turn their backs on Him. What does Jesus do about this? Does He get angry? Does He send a plague of frogs? Does He say something passive-aggressive? No, He washes their feet.
Jesus kneels down before the men who are going to hurt Him and acts as a loving servant. Peter is going to curse His name and deny Him, but Jesus washes his feet. Judas is going to sell His life for a little bit of cash, but Jesus washes his feet. Thomas is going to refuse to believe that He rose from the dead, but Jesus washes his feet. All the followers are going to flee the city and hide after Jesus is killed, but Jesus washes their feet anyway. This is what forgiveness looks like.
This is an invitation to live and forgive like Jesus. We should be fast to forgive— even with those who have badly hurt us. We forgive others because Christ forgave us.