DIRTY FEET

Have you ever participated in a foot washing service? For me the service is both uncomfortable and wonderful at the same time. I think I share the uneasiness that the disciples must have felt when the Son of God knelt before them. Why on earth would Jesus do such a thing? Foot washing was the dirty work of slaves, Gentile slaves.

There were no paved roads in Jesus’ day, just footpaths of stone and animal droppings. Guests would arrive, their feet caked in whatever grime the path offered, and slaves would begin the process of removing “the road” from each person’s feet. The cuts, corns, and callouses must have reminded the servant of his low position in that society.

As we think of Jesus washing his disciple’s feet, we must remember he was washing the feet of Peter, feet that would carry Peter to denial. He was washing Judas’ feet, feet that would run to betray Jesus. And, sadly, we remember all the other feet washed by our Lord that day. Feet that would eventually hide in fear and uncertainty.

What kind of God does Jesus represent here? The gods worshipped throughout history were known by their grandeur, greatness, power and magnificence. No god would duplicate this kind of humble service. No god! But Jesus represents (and is) a God like no other. Our God is the God who gets on his knees to serve the likes of us. Imagine!

Jesus taught us as much by what he ‘did’ as what he ‘said.’ Never forget that. Washing his disciples feet he wanted us to follow his example with each other. He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:13-17)

Richard Foster says, “There is a difference between choosing to serve and choosing to be a servant. When I choose to serve, I retain control about whom I serve and when I serve. But when I choose to be a servant, I have given up all rights and all control.” Are you willing to give up “choosing to serve” to become a servant of Jesus Christ? Many feet will walk into our lives–young feet, old feet, poor feet, needy feet, greedy feet, mean feet, sweet feet. Whose feet will we not want to wash? Whose feet would Jesus refuse to wash?

Mother Teresa visited Arizona in 1989 to help open a home for the poor. During that brief visit, she was interviewed by a radio station. In a private moment, the person doing the interview asked Mother Teresa if there was anything he, personally, could do for her. He was expecting her to request a contribution or more media attention to help raise money for the new home for the needy. Instead, she replied, “Yes, there is something you can do. Find somebody nobody else loves, and love them.” Wouldn’t you love to wash her feet?

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