The hour of the Lord's return to the Father had come. Before departing, the Lord indicated (symbolically) that He was going to leave off His earthly Messianic ministry to Israel and carry on a new heavenly ministry (the advocacy of Christ) by which they would be maintained in communion with Himself during His absence (1 John 2:1-21My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1‑2)). This new heavenly ministry that the Lord was about to undertake signifies another transition from the old dispensation to the new.
Firstly, the Lord rose "from supper" where they were eating together, and laid aside His garments (vs. 4a). This was a symbolic action indicating that He was about to break His outward associations with them in the kingdom as the Messiah of Israel.
Secondly, He "girded Himself" with "a towel" (vs. 4b). This indicated that in this new place to which the Lord was going on high, He would take a servant's position where He would work to maintain His people in communion with Himself.
Thirdly, He poured "water into a bason" and began to "wash the disciples' feet" (vs. 5). This speaks of using the "water of the Word" in application to the believer's walk. The removal of defilement from our feet points to the Lord's work as our Advocate with the Father in exercising us to judge ourselves in view of the holiness of God (1 John 1:99If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)), by which we are enabled to walk in communion with Him (John 14:21, 2321He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21)
23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)).
The results of the Lord's foot-washing ministry are fourfold:
• We enjoy His love in communion with Him—“part with Me” (vss. 8-11).
• We want to bring others into the enjoyment of His love—“wash one another’s feet” (vss. 12-17).
• We discern His mind (spiritual insight)—“I tell you before it come” (vss. 18-30).
• We render a powerful testimony to the world—“by this shall all men know that ye are My disciples” (vss. 31-35).