John 13: 1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and2 that he had come from God and was going back to God, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” 8 Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was to betray him; that was why he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ 19 I am telling you this now, before it takes place, that when it does take place you may believe that I am he. 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
This was truly an act of humility. Jesus’ whole life had been an act of humility. He was the Word Incarnate (John 1), He had lived in the glories of heaven, at the side of the Father. He humbled Himself so He could live as one of us, so He could be the Lamb who was worthy, the Sacrifice that saved us. He worked as a carpenter, He travelled as an itinerant worker and healer, funded at least in part by the provisions of women (Luke 8:1-3).
Here, during the meal, He left His role as teacher and leader, and took the role of servant. Hospitality at the time said that when people visited a house, a servant should wash their feet. Their feet were dusty. But no one had. So Jesus did, and taught them that they should be servants to each other.
There is more to this than just foot washing, and that is symbolic for how we should treat others. We should be their servant.
I think of the Servant Song:
Brother, let me be your servant.
Let me be as Christ to you.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
And there we have the really hard part.
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant, too.
Peter found it difficult. Peter found lots of things difficult. So have I and I dare say many others too.
Quite a few years ago, I did a lot around the community, and for the Church, playing the organ, typing this and that, baby sitting other people’s children, driving people here and there, taking food to the bereaved, you know, the sort of thing most people are glad to do, as a way of help to others. My life has changed drastically for several reasons, and now I am the one needing to be driven places, my meals are provided, my cleaning and shopping done for me.
I am really grateful for this. But there are times, when people are so eager to help they will not let me do the things that I can do. It really is a struggle at times not to be rude to them and just tell them to leave me alone, but I have to be gracious and say thank you.
I really do have to do a really quick prayer to God…..because for years I was their servant, now they are being mine. They want to show me the Light of Christ, and I want to be grateful. They are witnessing to me, and I am witnessing to them.
Does anyone else have this problem? You are happy to help others, but have problems being helped?
Light of Christ 