Christ Ministers unto His Disciples

It is the Lord’s Passover supper, and Jesus is gathered with His disciples. Usually when guests had traveled, their feet had to be washed by a servant. In the upper room there was no servant; therefore, one of the disciples should have performed this task. Everything was ready. There was the pitcher and the basin for washing, there was a long linen cloth, and there was water in the pitcher, but no one was willing to perform this task—they were too proud.

His ministry is a mystery of love

When no one did, then Jesus acted. He rose from the supper, laid aside His garments, girded Himself, poured water in the basin, and began to wash His disciples’ feet. Oh, how He did take upon Him the form of a servant, “But made Himself of no reputation” (Philippians 2:7a). The disciples must have been perplexed, and, we hope, also ashamed of the fact that Jesus was doing for them what they should have done. They did not know what to say; however, Peter could not keep silent and said, “Lord, dost Thou wash my feet?”

Then Jesus answered, “What I do thou knowest not now.” Yes, it is the Lord’s doing, not man’s work. The Lord Jesus is the Servant of God who came to do His will. “I delight to do Thy will, O My God.” What He did is out of love not only to the Father but also to His people. He loved them unto the end. It is a mysterious work. Many of God’s ways are mysterious and incomprehensible: “And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known” (Isaiah 42:16a). It was incomprehensible that Abraham had to sacrifice Isaac, that Jacob seemed to be bereaved of children when Benjamin also had to leave, that Joseph who had such wonderful dreams had to be sold to Egypt to sit in a prison, that Esther had to marry Ahasuerus, and that the Messiah had to suffer and be slain. It was a mystery to Peter and the disciples that their Master did the work of a slave.

His work is not understood

Peter should have subjected himself to what Christ did even if he did not understand it. He should have bowed to Christ’s love and sought to learn what He would teach him, that is, that His lowly service was necessary. Peter was too self-confident and ignorant of himself but also ignorant of the depths and constancy of Christ’s love. The Lord Jesus answered him and gave him a tender rebuke, “What I do thou knowest not now.” You do not understand it, Peter, but “thou shalt know hereafter.” That is, you shall perceive and have knowledge gained by experience. There was resistance in the heart of Peter; this washing should not be done by his Master. However, the Lord Jesus said, as it were, “Your knowledge is so limited; you are so ignorant.” The disciples did not understand the priestly work of Christ. They did not understand that He had to redeem them by laying down His life for them. They wanted to minister to Him, but He came to minister.

How often God’s dear children do not understand His dealings:

a) When God’s providence seems to go against His promises, as Moses was sent to Egypt to deliver Israel, and their burdens were increased.

b) When His dealings are incomprehensible, also for Joseph. Instead of the fulfillment of his dreams, he was unjustly thrown into a prison and forgotten by man.

c) When He brings them before walls of impossibilities, as Israel before Jericho.

d) When He breaks down what He has built and roots up what He has planted. Will He destroy His own work?

e) When it is as if He is angry with His people and seems to have forgotten them. Asaph did not understand God’s dealings. God’s people have expected to grow, to become holier, but it seems as if they go backward and become greater sinners. They lose many battles; they become weak and helpless. They do not understand that this is God’s way of teaching them that salvation is His work alone. In His work alone He will be glorified. “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). Yet, the Lord will reveal His counsel to them.

His ministry will be known hereafter

There will come a time after Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, and especially after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, that God’s people and His disciples will understand. Not only the meaning of the foot-washing, but the entire work of His humiliation will become clear. Then they will see the meaning of this mystery, that the most high Sovereign performed the service of a slave. All that He did was for the redemption of sinners, also that He laid aside His garments, took a towel, girded Himself, poured water into a basin, washed their feet, and wiped them with a towel. “Christ also loved the Church, and gave Himself for it; That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,” (Ephesians 5:25b&26). He did a perfect work, for He is a perfect Servant of the Father. He did not only wash their feet, but He wiped them also. We need to be cleansed daily, to be taught, corrected, and led in His incomprehensible ways. The disciples will discern what God’s purpose was. Christ will shed light upon all His dealings.

There is a “hereafter” for all God’s children. Joseph said, “Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good.” There was Asaph, after he went into the sanctuary; Job, when he knew his Redeemer liveth; and the disciples, when the Lord sent the Holy Spirit to guide them into all truth. Then all riddles were taken away. The disciples will know what He did. He gave Himself so willingly, lovingly, perfectly, and He died for His Church. Here in this upper room, He said, “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” (John 13:14&15). Seek to guide, sustain, and when needed, correct each other in love. Also, seek the daily cleansing with the blood of Christ. Hereafter, we will understand all His ways, admire, and praise Him, and He will be glorified.

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