The Example
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Sometimes what we are asked to do is off-putting.
Image from: https://openbiblemessage.org/2021/07/five-observations-about-jesus-as-a-foot-washer/
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.” For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.” After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord--and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, `Where I am going, you cannot come.’ I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Do for each other as I have done for you.
Today is one of those days in the church calendar when we are asked to do something for each other, and in some churches, we actually do it.
I served in a church where we began Maundy Thursday services with a meal. And during that meal, the priest would get up and begin washing the feet of all in attendance.
In another church I served in, the tradition was to wash each other's feet. The priest would begin by washing the feet of the deacon, who would wash the feet of someone from the congregation.
Each person doing the washing would then sit in the chair and have his/her feet washed, ending with the priest.
In another church, only one foot was washed, which seemed odd to me.
What all of these traditions have in common is the example they set for us.
Be a servant to one another.
Some people find the tradition odd, but it is consistent with what Jesus taught. If you think of the Good Samaritan, the man of means bends down to help a man who was beaten and left for dead. But he doesn't stop there.
He takes him to an inn and pays for his lodging and care. He has business to attend to, but he will come back to settle the debt should the innkeeper need to offer more than what was initially provided for.
The act of washing someone's feet is not that big of a sacrifice. It doesn't take long. It is a sign of hospitality.
But here's the thing. It was considered a servant's job to wash the dust of the journey from the feet of the guest, not the master of the house.
Surprise, surprise. If we can expect God to answer our call for help, we should expect to have to do the same for one another, right?
We say that all are welcome in God's House, but do we show it?
Jesus sets an example of how we should treat one another, and it is not about washing feet. It is about respecting and loving one another.
We sure could use some of that respect and love today.
More to come...