“Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. … Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.  So, he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” ...Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (Excerpts of John 13; New Living Translation)

 

Some of you may have had the experience of participating in a Christian foot-washing service. It is a joyful gathering. A time of worship including music and prayer. It allows Christians to experience this physical act of humility that Jesus used to express love for His friends, us sinners … and even for an enemy, Judas. Wow!

 

Women, imagine a sister-in-Christ dipping and drying your feet and men, likewise, imagine a brother-in Christ washing your feet. In his commentary, The Gospel of John, D.A. Carlson wrote: “doubtless all of the disciples were extremely embarrassed.” If you read the full account, Peter clearly disapproved! But Jesus’ confident response to their scandalized reactions was: “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”  
Make some time to read the full account in John 13:1-15 and meditate what Jesus did.
Ask God to help you understand how you/we are to follow Jesus’ example.

 

A prayer:  Lord God, the Church knows the foot-washing is a symbol of You washing us clean of sin! Now our hearts have turned back to You, we can grow in love toward You and one another. Grant the spirit of obedience so that we honor You with authentic Christian love. Make our daily lives meaningful statements for Christ. Amen

 

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)