Jesus instituted footwashing in connection with the NT Passover as a symbol of service. It is a physical reminder of the principle He had taught them before that they ought to be as He was – and do as He did – Matthew 20:28 states that “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” As Jesus said in John 13:17: “If you know these things, happy are you if you DO them.”