Love Each Other

January 17

John’s first twelve chapters cover three years of ministry. In a unique twist, chapters 13-18 cover just one night. It’s as if John throws things into slow motion to catch all the details of this fateful night—the night that would be Jesus’ last with His disciples before His violent mocking, scourging, and death on a Roman cross.

Due to dusty roads, foot washing was both common and necessary. Most often, a servant performed this duty as guests entered the home. For a host to do such a thing was simply unthinkable. To our western cultural minds, Jesus donning a towel and washing His disciples’ feet sounds humiliating. Given the middle eastern tradition of the first century, however, we find more reasons for Jesus’ choice to do so.

Obviously, Peter didn’t take to the idea of Jesus washing his feet. He even protested that he should wash the Lord’s feet. (John 13:8) But why would Peter say this? Did he think it was wrong for Jesus to take the role of a servant? Or did he think he was unworthy for Jesus to serve him?

From personal experience, I can tell you that when a leader washed my feet it was terribly humbling. Yet it was also deeply reassuring that those event leaders were to be trusted as they led our retreat participants into a deeper knowledge and experience with Jesus.

Peter, as was his custom, engaged his mouth before his brain. But when the Lord replied, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me,” Peter’s attitude quickly changed. “Lord, not only my feet, but also my hands and my head,” he exclaimed. (John 13:8-9, CSB) At this, Jesus assured him, “One who has bathed doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” (John 13:10, CSB) We are left to wonder what the expression on Judas’ face must have been when Jesus said that last part.

As was often the case, Jesus used a word picture as He washed each disciple’s feet. He explained that in washing their feet, He was presenting a model of humility they should follow. It wasn’t just washing their feet literally, but also figuratively. Jesus told them to humbly serve each other, rather than argue over which one would be greater in His coming Kingdom.

He summarized this later as He gave His disciples a new command: “Love one another.” (John 13:34) In verse 35, Jesus said that other people would recognize them as His disciples by their love for each other. The disciples wouldn’t have a special handshake or wardrobe, nor would they wear special jewelry. They would simply be known by their love and the way they treated each other. Yes, this love was unconditional love—not mere brotherly love. We’ll address this further on January 29.

Application

True love expresses itself in action. Do you love other believers, even those who don’t agree with you in theological or political matters? Do you like them? All of them? Unconditionally? Jesus wants His disciples to demonstrate their love toward each other, and if you do, you will.

Love for other believers will express itself—not should, but will. The Greek verb form suggests the probability (would) as opposed to a possibility (should) regarding the disciples’ love for one another.

In other words, “The disciples should love each other” only offers one more religious prescription for human effort in an endless sea of them. But “the disciples will love each other,” is a relational description of what God’s Spirit does through the soul yielded to Jesus’ lordship and trusting in His finished work.

Later in his life, John uses the same Greek verb form to say, “Now this is His command: that we [would] believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and [would] love one another as He commanded us. (1 John 3:23, CSB)

© Copyright 2026 Craig Beaman