Foot Washing

Jesus, The Servant

Supper was over, and Jesus got up, took off his outer garments, and put a towel around His waist.  To everyone’s astonishment, He washed their feet—their dirty, grimy, muddy, city-filthy feet.  Peter almost wouldn’t let Him touch His feet.  He of all the disciples knew what kind of man he was, or at least he’d been the most vocal about it.  “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” had been what he told the Lord on the Sea of Galilee.  Now he felt as uncomfortable as then.  But Jesus talked him into it.

Now Jesus put his robe back on—that beautiful single-piece fabric His mother and others had lovingly crafted for Him, the same one that would be gambled for in a day or two—and told the disciples:

If I, your Lord and Master, can serve you by washing your feet, the most menial of tasks, then you should also wash one another’s’ feet.  After all, the servant is not greater than the Master.  If you do these things you are blessed.

I do not speak concerning all of you, for I know whom I have chosen—but that the scripture (Psalm 41:9) may be fulfilled:

⁹ Even my close friend, 
   someone I trusted, 
one who shared my bread, 
   has turned against me.

It didn’t pertain to all of them.  Washing feet is about service.  If you’re His, you serve.  What He asked wasn’t for His enemies.  Judas had no part of this.  Although Jesus washed his feet, Judas was a false disciple.  He didn’t believe, so he wasn’t a part of the group. 

But if you’re His, you serve your brothers and sisters.  That’s who I want to be.  I want to be someone who washes my brothers and sisters’ feet.  I’m asking God to show me who I can help.  How about you?