“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.” ‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What is your love language?

Before 1992 this was a question none of us would even consider, let alone answer. But thanks to Dr. Gary Chapman’s work in his best-selling book The Five Love Languages, we now have an idea. 

According to Chapman, we best express and experience love from someone in five ways – quality time, physical touch, gift-giving, words of affirmation, and acts of service. These five clarifications have helped my understanding of my family immensely. 

I think if John were asked, “what is Jesus’ love language?” He could build a case for any of them.

Perhaps it would be quality time. After all, He spent three years daily walking around Galilee with John and the other 11 disciples. 

Maybe it would be physical touch. He witnessed Jesus bouncing kids on His knee, hugging the widows, and reaching out and touching the unclean lepers. 

He might even say it was gift-giving. From wine at a wedding to a resurrected loved one, it’s fair to say Jesus “out-gifted” everyone. 

And the words. Oh the words of affirmation. No one could speak life into someone’s soul quite like Jesus. 

But if he could only pick one, I think John would say it had to be acts of service. 

John is the only one to record this epic moment of Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. 

“It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.” John 13:1-3

He starts off by reminding us, “He loved us.” He then reminds us that Judas has already made up his mind about what he’s about to do. And then Jesus gets up and begins to wash the feet of the disciples. 

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. John‬ ‭13‬:4‬-‭5‬ ‭

This was a stunning act of service. This was reserved for a hired hand who would clean the feet of those dining so they wouldn’t have to be bothered with such seemingly small and obviously unsavory activity. The disciples were probably arguing about which one of them was responsible for finding a foot washer for the meal. And then Jesus stood up… and bent down. This entire process probably took less than 20 minutes, but the lesson would last for all time. The Lord of the universe became the servant in the room. 

This gesture brought out the worst in people. Peter argued with Jesus about whether or not he should do this. Judas allows Jesus to do this, even knowing he will betray him later. And yet John sees the best in Jesus.  

In John’s reflection, he remembers he’s reclined at the side of Jesus. We read again, “he’s the one Jesus loved.” And Jesus served them all. Even Peter who would deny him. Even Judas who would betray him. This is the heart of our Lord.

Maybe it was why 30 years later when he wrote all this down, he lets us know that “the one Jesus loves” is sitting next to him. Something about when we see how he serves, we know how he loves.

In fact, every aspect of what John records Jesus doing is an act of service. From spending quality time with us to reaching out and providing a healing touch, to the gift of life and the words of truth… God himself has descended into our world to wash our feet. We are all the ones Jesus serves. Thus we are all the ones Jesus loves. 

Today’s Prayer:

Jesus, today remind me of all the ways you serve me.