Washing Feet
Jesus gave us a great example of love in action when He was with His disciples at the Passover meal, or what we now call the Last 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, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them…. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:3-17, 34-35 (NKJV)
Jesus washed the feet of those who were what we might call of lower spiritual rank than Himself. He humbled Himself to wash the feet of His followers. Washing feet was a nasty job in those days and it was usually reserved for the lowest servant of a household to do. After walking all day in sandals on dusty, dirty roads- roads on which many animals had left their droppings- it was necessary to have the feet cleaned upon entering the house. Jesus was truly lowering Himself to do this task, showing the disciples that humility brings honor and is a demonstration of agape love.
When we prefer our brothers and sisters in the Lord over ourselves, showing unconditional love to our fellow believers, the world notices. However, when strife and division reign in the Body of Christ, the world does not see the church as a light, but as being hypocritical. This has been one of the biggest reasons the church has not been more effective in winning people. We don’t act like Christ told us to. We are too busy pointing out the faults of other churches, pastors, and denominations- while the world goes to hell. What would happen if we were to stop being so critical of one another and chose to humble ourselves a bit? Would we maybe find that we really don’t have such big differences after all? Would we come together under the banner of love, the banner of Jesus Christ, to win the world? It just takes someone deciding to go first, to lower himself or herself to honor their brethren. This is our assignment in this hour- to bow low before one another to show love.
I think He was also doing something else when He washed their feet. Like a servant washed the feet of people so they could enter a house, Jesus was symbolically preparing them to enter His heavenly home. He said they were washed, meaning His sacrifice on the cross would make them clean. They would be saved and given eternal life with Him in Heaven. I believe He was showing them symbolically that one day they would walk into Heaven, where a place awaited each of them. He was pointing to their eventual entrance into their Forever Home. And that home also is waiting for those of us who are His followers.
Washing feet. Such a lowly task, but so full of meaning!
