Did Jesus wash Judas’ feet? Very probably, Yes. John 13
John’s Gospel is the only one that records for us the washing of the disciples feet by Jesus. In the midst of John’s account we see Judas’ name mentioned twice. Jesus knew who was going to betray Him and he alluded to this when he told Peter, ‘You are clean, though not every one of you’.
The crucifixion was public and for the world, but the feet washing was private, after their last meal together, one final example for His disciples to remember and imitate. After Jesus had finished washing their feet, He asked them;
“Do you understand what I have done for you? 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(the Blessing is in the Doing)”. John 13:12-17
By His actions, before the crucifixion, Jesus showed that there was nothing too low for us His followers to do for Him. But if He did wash Judas’ feet, His betrayer, then we are also called to show the God kind of Love to even our enemy.
Edith Louisa Cavell (4 December 1865 – 12 October 1915) was the daughter of an Anglican vicar and a British nurse. She is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination and in helping some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during the First World War, for which she was arrested. She was accused of treason, found guilty by a court-martial and sentenced to death. Despite international pressure for mercy, she was shot by a German firing squad. Her execution received worldwide condemnation and extensive press coverage.
The night before her execution, she said, “Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.” These words were later inscribed on a memorial to her near Trafalgar Square. She was quoted as saying, ‘ I can’t stop while there are lives to be saved(a good motto for Christians)”. She became the most prominent British female casualty of the First World War.
Edith Cavell’s remains were returned to Britain after the war and as the ship bearing the coffin arrived in Dover, a full peal was rung on the bells of the parish church. The peal was notable: “Rung with the bells deeply muffled with the exception of the Tenor, in token of respect to Nurse Cavell, whose body arrived at Dover during the ringing and rested in the town till the following morning. Several of the ringers were ex-soldiers, one having been a prisoner of war for eight months”. Deep (or full) muffling is normally only used for the deaths of sovereigns. A peal using the same method, with the bells half muffled, was rung for the centenary of her repatriation(still honoured 100 years later). After an overnight pause in the parish church the body was conveyed to London and a state funeral was held at Westminster Abbey. (Quoted from article on Wikipedia)
Edith Clavell had to die to self, her own natural tendencies and I believe Jesus exemplified that for us at the washing of the disciples feet, including Judas. God’s Love, Agape Love, doesn’t have any prejudice, it loves all and serves all without conditions.
God bless and keep you.