Washing Feet
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
-John 13:1-5
In the ancient world, people walked long distances on dusty roads wearing sandals. Their feet got dirty, sweaty, and covered in whatever else they stepped in… It was customary for the lowest servant or slave in the house to wash the feet of guests before a meal. The tables were low to the ground and people reclined on pillows to eat. You were basically eating right next to your neighbor’s feet. (Which could be a particularly unpleasant experience depending on the cleanliness of his or her feet.)
The fact that someone washed the disciples feet before the meal was not surprising. It was expected. The fact that JESUS, their teacher, humbled himself to wash their feet was shocking! Peter didn’t accept this act of love at first. He was offended that his teacher, the one he looked up to and wanted to be like, would do the job of a servant. Peter told him, “No, Lord, you will not wash my feet.” When Jesus explained that he needed to wash Peter’s feet in order for them to be connected, Peter was ready to take a whole bath! That was also not necessary. Jesus gave them the example they should follow:
“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. Very truly I tell you, 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.” -John 13:13-17
How is God calling us to humble ourselves and serve others? In what way does Jesus want us to reach out in love, mercy, compassion, justice, and humility to our neighbors? This winter, we will explore specific ways we can work for justice in the world, love others with mercy, and walk humbly with God. I hope you join us in worship as we walk with God on this journey.
God of Hospitality and Wonder, you welcome us to a table that invites those who are different than us. This invitation has made us uncomfortable, unsettled, and defensive. Our discomfort comes from an unwillingness to see other peoples’ perspectives. Our unsettledness comes from a dependence on the status quo. Our defensiveness comes from a belief that our image of you is the only one that matters. Help us to surrender ourselves to the abundance of your invitation. Inspire us to embrace the fact that diversity is strength, not weakness. Gather us to welcome the stranger, care for the oppressed, and feed the hungry. Forgive us for our short-sightedness and open us to your Gospel that we might better embody the Beloved Community you call us to be. In the Wild and Wonderful name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
