Читать книгу Boyd's Commentary - R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation - Страница 82

After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He sat down again. Focusing attention on what He just did, Jesus asked rhetorically, “Do you know what I have done to you?” (13:12, NRSV). After reaffirming His position of authority as Teacher and Lord, He explained the intent of the act. “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (13:14, NRSV). His point was to set an example of the relationships He expected in the future community of His believers. If He, the greatest of them, willingly served them, then there was no excuse for any of them to disdain service. “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43–44, NRSV).

This passage exemplifies a technique called greater to lesser. In other words, as Jesus was the greater, the lesser disciples should follow suit. In as much as this text points to the servanthood of Jesus, it also notes His Lordship. Verse 14 reverses the order of Teacher and Lord from verse 13 to emphasize Jesus is Lord before He is Teacher. It is a question of the derivation of authority. Jesus’ authority did not come from His ability to teach or correctly explicate the teachings of the Scriptures. Jesus’ authority was placed in His position as Lord. His ability to teach was derived from His status as Lord. This breeds a type of circular thought that continuously emphasizes the magnanimity of His choice toward service.

Jesus’ choice of service to His disciples pointed forward to His new command of verses 34–35. As love is to be displayed amongst His followers, service to one another is to be a distinguishing mark of that love. Service is to then point to and be a reminder for humility within the community. This community is to be free from the kind of pridefulness that runs rampant in the context of the greater society and the world. “One of the ways human pride manifests itself in a stratified society is in refusing to take the lower role” (Carson, 467). Jesus took the lower role. His followers are to do the same.

To take the lower position is a type of self-sacrifice. This of course was the greatest act of Jesus as He gave over His life for the world. Washing the disciples’ feet was only symbolic for a greater sacrifice that would come later. Foot washing can be a wonderful expression of solidarity in the community of believers. However, it is not the act so much as it is the spirit behind the act. In this way, foot washing is an act of preparation. It prepares one for greater acts of service that require humility and a spirit of a selflessness.