WASHING ONE ANOTHER’S FEET
John
13: 15-17 I
have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you
the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater
than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed
if you do them.
In some Christian
traditions, foot washing is a regular practice. It is not a sacrament but a
practice that reflects a person’s our humility and willingness to serve others
as Christ has served us. It is a symbolic act that Jesus used to teach his
disciples. Jesus used this practice to reflect his willingness to serve others
as a slave serves his master. Jesus wanted his disciples to see that as
followers of him they were to take his lead in find ways to serve others.
It is a practice that was
quite humiliating and degrading in Jesus day. Household slaves and servants
were tasked with this duty. It was not unusal for someone to wash his own feet
when entering a home. Wearing sandals or walking barefoot left your feed dusty
and dirty. It was good manners to do this before entering. But to wash
another’s feet is to take on a different role.
To wash someone’s feet today
is almost unthinkable. If someone offered to do that when you entered McDonald's
or Macy’s or Auto Zone, how many people would even want it done? How degrading
an offer. Leaving foot washing behind, we see the principle Jesus was
communicating. There is no personal need beneath the Christian when someone has
a need. To wash and invalid is not below our line of duty. You can think of all
the services to another human, they are not below our calling. We are called to
serve, help and to reflect Christ in the process.
One last thing. What do you
get in return? Jesus says you will be blessed. And it won’t be in a material way,
either. Now the question, do you want to be blessed?