It's the night before Jesus' arrest. The tragic prospect of his passion must weigh heavily on his heart. Judas sits at the table with him, a reminder that the clouds of darkness are gathering. The gospel of John has its own special way of talking about all this. It tells us what Jesus knew. "Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father." "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God." In this moment, when Jesus appears to be the ultimate victim, we see him as ultimately in control.

Aware of his position of ultimate authority, he wraps a towel around his waist and proceeds to wash the feet of his disciples. Astounding! This was the work of slaves. Normally, on being invited to a special dinner, the host would provide this service, assigning a slave to wash the guests' dusty, sandal-clad feet.

Instead, Jesus, the divine host, picks up the towel and begins to wash his disciples' feet. Perhaps you've witnessed a "foot-washing," as it's practiced in some churches. On Maundy Thursday the Pope washes the feet of ordinary people in Rome. But it's a practiced ritual. This was the real thing, and it astounded the disciples.

Simon Peter watched this spectacle unfold. When Jesus finally came to him, Peter said, "What? You, my Lord, wash my feet?" Jesus tried to assuage his disturbance by telling him that one day he would understand. But Peter would have none of it: "No, you will never wash my feet!"

Jesus replied, "Unless I wash you, you have no part of me."

Why was this foot-washing so important that Peter would be outside of Jesus' favor if he refused? This "washing" was more than cleaning dirt from feet, it was a living symbol of the washing Jesus would accomplish through his blood shed on the cross. Jesus is the servant who not only washes our feet but gives up his own life for us.

Then Peter, the impulsive one, wants to be washed head to foot, but Jesus explains why this is not necessary.

When all the disciples have had their feet washed, Jesus explains. He washes their feet (lays down his life for them) not only as an act of loving service but as an example. "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you should wash one another's feet." In other words, when Jesus washes our feet, laying down his life to set us free from sin and death, he also calls us to lay down our lives for others.

Forgiven and free, we are called to a new life in Christ. As Q&A 50 puts it, "Thankful for God's salvation, I should live a new life, freely serving Christ, my Lord, every day in every way."