Christian Foundations 4 - ServiceSýnishorn

WASH FEET  

I’m not a very ‘huggy’ type of person. I can reciprocate a decent man hug when I need to, but I don’t tend to initiate them. Not sure why. I’m just not into physical closeness with non-family members. I don’t even like massages, so the idea of washing someone’s feet makes me feel uncomfortable. But the reason people didn’t like foot washing in Jesus’ day had nothing to do with their concerns about touching people. They were a very ‘huggy’ culture (at least with members of the same sex). Their problem was that feet were regarded as disgusting and only the least important person in the room (usually a slave) would do the necessary washing of dusty and sweaty feet. When the disciples gathered for their last meal with Jesus before his death, there was no slave present, so their feet just didn’t get washed. No one was keen to stoop to do such a job.

Read: John 13:1-17

Journal

1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?

2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?

3. What do I need to do?

4. Why did Jesus wait for the meal to be served before he washed feet?

Reflect

Yesterday we considered Jesus’ humility displayed over the sweep of eternity. Today we’re looking at one small event in which Jesus showed the same heart. He was not only the disciples’ Teacher (their guru) but they were beginning to realize that he was the Messiah (God’s deliverer for Israel). So if anyone in that group should not have been doing the foot-washing it was clearly Jesus. You can picture the awkwardness in the room. They had been waiting for someone to volunteer but no one had and so they were all sitting on their filthy feet. Then up gets Jesus and starts washing their feet. Imagine going to a political rally and finding an important politician cleaning the toilet after you. 

Of course, they should not have been surprised. I bet Jesus was dying to do it from the moment they arrived at dinner. But he waited so that his actions would have maximum impact. He didn’t have long left. He had to make the most of this teaching opportunity. I would imagine as he tenderly washed each man’s feet, he was whispering words of love and affirmation. This was the heart of Jesus. Soon he was going to go much further - laying down his life for them.

But this event reveals more than the beautiful servant heart of Jesus. He makes it very clear that this is our calling: “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” We’re all foot-washers. Clearly, washing feet is not a great need in our culture, but I think what Jesus is saying is that humble and often unrecognized service is our job, our role. There is a great blessing for us as we humbly lay down our lives for the needs of others. This is our life in Jesus.

Pray

Keep working on my heart, Jesus. May you give me an opportunity to put this into practice today. I want to show your love by serving someone.

Respond

Just do it.