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It
was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had
come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having
loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full
extent of his love.
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already
prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew
that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he
had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the
meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his
waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash
his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped
around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going
to wash my feet?"
Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but
later you will understand."
"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my
feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with
me."
"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my
feet but my hands and my head as well!"
Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to
wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though
not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray
him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and
returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done
for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and
'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your
Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one
another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I
have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater
than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent
him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do
them.
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