At the Feet of Judas

Every year, on Holy Thursday, we witness the re-enactment of one of the greatest Biblical events ever — the washing of his disciples’ feet by Jesus.

But while we dwell on the groundbreaking implications of master serving disciple, there is another that we ought to focus on — that Jesus knew that one pair of dirty feet belonged to the man who would betray him. And yet, it was also at Judas’ feet that Jesus knelt. Especially at Judas’ feet.

In this moment of known betrayal, what else did Jesus know? Let us draw this picture with a few details coloured in from the Gospel of John.

John 13: 1 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself.

John is giving us insight here into what Jesus knew before he got up from the table:

1. That this was to be his last supper.
2. That he would continue to love his ‘own’ to the end.
3. That Judas had already been won over by the devil.
4. That God had given ‘all things’ into Jesus’ hands.

Jesus’ act of washing his disciples’ feet was not to satisfy custom or hygiene — the disciples had already tramped into the room, and like most young men led by their stomaches, had sat down at table without washing. It was during supper, not before, that Jesus rose from the table to wash his disciples’ feet, making it not an act of necessity, but an expression of love.

But although Jesus knew that this was his last supper, he also knew that it would not be the last time he would express his love to his disciples. He would love them to the end, laying down his life for them and then appear to them multiple times after his resurrection.

This supper WAS, however, Jesus’ last chance to show one particular apostle his love and mercy — Judas.

John says, “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end”, and in the very next sentence points to who it is that Jesus loved despite the thoughts of betrayal in his heart. Jesus loved Judas and called him his own — remember, all the apostles had been called personally by Jesus. Whether we accept the calling or reject it, God still loves us and tries to show us how much.

Jesus knew also that God has given ‘all things’ into his hands — among the things that Jesus was given authority to do, including raising the dead, was forgiving sins and showing mercy. He knew that what he would do next would be in accordance with the will of God — nay, would be the will of his Father who said, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” [Hosea 6:6]

And it is here, while Jesus proceeds to wash his disciples’ feet, that we are shown the greater significance of his actions. Peter is the only disciple who actively objects to his master washing his feet, but Jesus says —

John 13:7 “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” 9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

Jesus tells Peter that he will understand “later” — but how much later? When Jesus explains his actions after he has finished washing their feet? Or later still…when the apostles realise that Jesus washed the feet of not only his friends, but also his enemy.

Jesus then says something else that is key — “ Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” What share is Jesus alluding to? It is easy to picture him as one of us who says, “If you don’t do this, I won’t be your friend anymore!” — but this is not who Jesus is. When he says, “you [would] have no share with me”, he is concerned that we receive what we share with him — our inheritance. As the Son of God, he is heir to the kingdom of heaven, and it is this that he wants us to have a share to.

In washing their feet, Jesus may seem to have become a servant to his disciples. But then, he clarifies —“ You call me Teacher and Lord — and you are right, for that is what I am.” [John 13:13]

In serving his disciples, then, Jesus retains his Lordship — but makes them his brothers.

It is only as Jesus’ brothers and sisters that we can call his father, our Father — that we can know him as Jesus does; that we can be co-heirs with Christ. [See Romans 8:17]

But it is not simply a knowing of Christ that guarantees us our inheritance, without an acceptance of his mercy. The disciples were ‘clean’, as Jesus points out to Peter (except for Judas) because they had been walking with the Lord, listening to his word. But even those who walk with God get their feet dirty. It is only when we allow Jesus to wash our feet that we can feel clean enough to come home to our Father. (Read about this here!)

Where God covered the shame of Adam and Eve with animal skins, and the father of the prodigal son covered him with the finest robe in the house, there Jesus does not only cover our sins with his mercy…he washes us clean of them. (Read more about this here!)

It is this mercy — his mercy — that Jesus is telling his disciples, and us, to show to others. When we can wash the feet of even those who betray us, we call them our brother and sister, and invite them to share in our inheritance in heaven.

And only because Jesus did the same once.

Wishing you a blessed Holy Thursday!