Wash Each Other’s Feet

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.

Washing a person’s feet is something that has lost significance in our society.

Especially in first world countries.

Almost everyone can wash their own feet.

It’s no wonder that this narrative seems to have lost significance.

While washing the feet of your guests when they visit is something that has

fallen by the wayside, I hope that we can look at the principle behind it and

see what the intent was.

Was the intent that everyone goes around literally washing people’s feet?

I don’t think that is what was meant.

In this same narrative, he also says, “No servant is greater than his master,

nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.”

Jesus seems to be suggesting that leaders are to serve.

But… serving is and can be humbling.

Especially in our “me first” society that we live in.

People want to do important tasks.

But no one wants to do the less desirable tasks.

Even then it was humbling, no one wanted to do this task.

It can be humbling for the served as well.

After all, who wants to admit that they need help.

Even then it was a problem.

Peter spoke for everyone when he said, “You aren’t washing my feet!” (Elaine

Paraphrase).

So, here’s the question.

If we want to follow Jesus, how can we serve

others and thereby wash their feet?

I’m not sure what it will look like for you because each of us is different, for

me, it looks like washing dishes or doing the laundry, cooking a meal, visiting

a neighbor, offering a ride or walking with a friend.

Let us remember to wash each other’s feet not just at Easter but as often as

God provides opportunity

Comments

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