The feet are enough—but merely washing them is not

It was a sign that even the disciples did not understand. And its message still resonates today. Here is the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, explained by the Chief Apostle.

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem. “In the gospel of John it says that He knew exactly what was going to happen,” Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider said on 30 March 2025 in Buenos Aires in Argentina. Jesus knew that God had laid everything into His hands, the Chief Apostle said. The salvation of humankind therefore depended on Jesus’ actions and deeds, but He knew He could count on God’s help.

We also know where we are going. Our goal is eternal fellowship with God. This is about our personal salvation: “We are aware that everything is up to us. Our salvation depends on our own will, on nothing else,” the Chief Apostle said. “And those who want to be saved, follow the path set by Jesus Christ,” he said, referring to the Bible text of the service.

One plot, many messages

“After that He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded,” it says in John 13: 5, describing how Jesus did the work of a slave. “By doing this, Jesus wanted to describe His mission,” the Chief Apostle said, illustrating three messages.

• The Son of God did not come to be served, but to serve.
• The aim of His serving is to give human beings access to fellowship with God, which is often symbolised by a feast.
• The preparation consists of cleansing them from their sins and sanctifying them.

Peter and Judas reacted to this in different ways with different results.

Faith and trust

Peter initially objected, but then swung to the opposite extreme and wanted his head and hands washed as well, which Jesus refused. “What does this mean for us?” the Chief Apostle asked and gave two answers:

• Christ decides what is necessary for salvation. “We must believe in Jesus. We must be born again of water and the Spirit. We must receive Holy Communion and remain faithful to the end.”
• “We must respect that. Whether we understand it or not, whether we agree or not, is irrelevant. It is the only path to follow and the only way to be saved.”

Being there is not everything

Jesus washed Judas’ feet like everyone else’s. But he was not cleansed, because his heart was not with Jesus. This is how the Chief Apostle explained it:

• “For us that means that it is not enough to attend the divine services and to receive the sacraments in order to be saved. Our salvation depends on our heart and our will, and on our actions.”
• “Jesus taught us that all those who will be saved will receive the same eternal life. But Jesus never said that everybody will be saved.”

 In the service of all that is good

Jesus told Peter, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” This is a very well-known statement of Jesus Christ, and it applies to all of us. Often, we do not understand what Jesus is doing. But Jesus tells us, “One day you will understand. But in the meantime, just trust Me.”

Jesus set an example for us to follow, the Chief Apostle said:

• “Washing one another’s feet means nothing other than helping the other person to be saved. Not like a master who lectures others, tells them what they are doing wrong, and what they should be doing. No, like a humble servant.”
• Jesus did not reject Judas. Judas left Jesus.  “Jesus will not punish sinners. Not God, but they themselves have decided to not enter the kingdom of God.”
• “The washing of feet is definitely related to forgiveness. If I forgive my neighbour, it is not because he or she needs my forgiveness. It is because I want to behave like Jesus. And He forgives, so I forgive too.”

Chief Apostle Schneider said in conclusion: “Jesus cleanses us to give us access to His kingdom. We do not always understand His actions, but we trust Him. Let us follow Christ’s example by doing good to others and forgiving them.”