Are There Any Volunteers Out There Ready To Wash Some Dirty Feet?
Good Morning Friends,
Today we read scripture about the love of Christ in the hopes that we might choose to become washers of feet. This story tells of Jesus teaching by example the power of servanthood and humility. And this morning I cannot help but think about Pope Francis’ gesture of washing the feet of unbelieving migrants. The pontiff’s decision to wash the feet of those who do not believe is a wonderful gesture of the drama during the Passover in Jerusalem 2000 years ago brought into the reality of our current culture. The authenticity is its salvation. Perhaps by washing the feet of unbelieving migrants, Pope Francis will show all migrants the respect he believes they deserve. But I wonder if the gesture will change the hearts of people around the world. We do so want the Kingdom but culturally we often do not want God in it. We expect even marginalized people to not have smelly feet but there are few willing to take responsibility for the destiny of fleeing migrants. Perhaps someone closer to home? Are There Any Volunteers Out There Ready To Wash Some Dirty Feet?
Scripture: Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’ After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
John 13:1-17 (NRSV)
When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.
Leviticus 19:33-34 (NRSV)
Message: In a previous devotional we spent some time meditating on Mary’s washing of Jesus’ feet and this morning in preparation for an evening service we contemplate another Bible story of foot washing that is one of the most memorable incidents of Passion Week. It was the night before Jesus’ betrayal and crucifixion. Jesus’ public ministry had ended so the intensity of the time was now turned in fullness to the disciples. As they gathered for dinner it was customary for a servant to wash the guest’s feet as they entered the house. The food had been cooked… the table set… the water and the basin were there but where was the servant to wash the dirty feet of the disciples? Who will volunteer? Who will willingly serve? Who will justify in their own mind why it is their job? Who will put aside their desire to have others pay attention to what God is doing in their lives and intentionally love? It is Jesus! He gets up and takes off his outer garment and wraps a towel around his waist, pours water in a basin and shows them the power of recognizing a need and meeting it. Jesus took the appropriate action. He began the process. He started because Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. He knew he was going to die but his focus and interest was on others. John wants us to see that Jesus is concerned that the disciples be prepared for what is about to happen. John wants us to see that Jesus was not ignorant of the glory and authority that the Father had given him, but that none of that produced pride in his heart. Instead we see Jesus coming to us. We see Jesus loving us. We see Jesus receiving us and meeting our needs. But it also helps me and perhaps you to see that the freedom of truth and the promise of serving others has been and continues to be a way of finding God’s purpose in our lives. It helps me to see the world in the message of hope accomplished though the Messiah. Friends, one of the great modern-day tragedies is success which isolates us from people. It isolates us from discovering and experiencing meaning and significance in our lives. Most people have yet to discover who they are in Christ…they have yet to discover what difference they can make in another person’s life if they repent of their lack of passion for the oppressed who surround them. Here we discover what in our lives might be lasting and meaningful…we discover how our lives might count for something. Here we discover God’s hope and desire for us, God’s vision for His people to serve a broken world. We do not have to look far.
Pray that we prepare. Pray that we act. Pray we are secure in who we are. Pray we be willing to wash the feet of our enemies. Pray we understand what Jesus does for us. Pray that our thinking and character is transformed. Pray that we receive the blessing so that we might bless others. Pray we have mercy on needy souls. Pray we respect the needs of others.
Pray that we catch God’s vision for us. Pray that what we pray for things that glorify God. Pray that our prayers are offered with a clean heart in recognition and confession of our sins. Pray that we come out of the gray sterile existence of rituals that have lost meaning for us… out of the shadows of what we know to be false and begin experiencing God in the full spectrum of light that is not a cultural subversion of the faith but an expression of it. Pray that God empower our heart, mind, soul and spirit to love. Pray we find Heaven’s happiness in service to others.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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