John 13:1-20
The Lord’s death was to Him first and foremost to "depart out of this world unto the Father" (v. 1; cf. John 16:28). But He was leaving behind, in a world full of sin, those whom He loved. Believers have been "washed all over" by the blood of the cross (v. 10, JND trans.; Revelation 1:5), but just as a traveller gets dusty feet on the roads, they are exposed to defilement in thought, word and deed through continuous contact with evil. But our faithful Lord has foreseen this and here He attends to the practical holiness of His own. The great High Priest washes their feet. In other words He sanctifies them by leading them to examine themselves continually in the light of the Word (the water) which He applies to their consciences (Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:22). This loving service is one we also should exercise one with another. In humility, kneeling at their feet, we have to show our brothers and sisters through the Word in what way they are failing or to what dangers they are exposing themselves (Galatians 6:1). Dear friends, the Lord does not say, "You are happy if you know these things," but, knowing these things, "happy are ye if ye do them" (v.17).