Washing Feet

“You shall never wash my feet!”, Peter said.

For many around the world, Sunday is Palm Sunday, and marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is the holiest week of the year and – among the many events we recognize during Holy Week – we find Jesus and His disciples huddled together, in an upper room, celebrating the Passover meal, on the eve before Christ’s crucifixion on the cross. And, ultimately, His resurrection.

After the meal, “[Jesus] 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.” –John 13:4-5 NKJV

Some members of the clergy wear a “stole” over their vestments during worship – I have done the same. The stole is a representation of the towel that Christ used to wash the disciples feet. It symbolic representation of service to others.

When Jesus came to Peter, Peter asked (vs.6), “Lord, are you washing my feet?”.

Jesus replied (vs.7), “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

“You don’t understand. But you will”.

Jesus took a towel, girded Himself, got down on His hands and knees, and washed the disciples feet.

Naturally, Peter objected to Jesus washing his feet – just as we might object to someone washing our feet. Never mind it being the King of kings, and Lord of lords. I mean, after all, it’s a violation of our personal space. It’s uncomfortable. But, necessary.

In Matthew 20, Jesus taught, “And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man [Jesus] did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

The point of Jesus’ teaching, in washing His disciples feet, was NOT to be served but to serve.

To be of service to others. To help others. And, to be clean.

Peter said (vs.9), “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”. Jesus’ response was (vs.10), “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”. Jesus knew there was one who was about to betray Him.

Have your feet been washed? Are you washing other’s feet? Of service to others?

Blessings.