Washing each other's feet!

 John 13 - 14.15

"And since I, your Lord, and teacher have washed your feet, you ought to wash each others feet.  I have given you an example to follow.  Do as I have done to you". 

If someone asked you to wash their feet today, I'm sure you would turn up your nose - what a horrible thing to do; washing someone's smelly feet!  However, feet washing in the bible was a common custom due to people's feet being dusty and dirty from the rough terrain.  They would often walk miles on dusty roads only wearing sandals so when they entered someone's home it would be customary for them to wash their feet. It was an act of hospitality and humility. 

Feet washing was usually carried out by the lowest ranking person in the household. Jewish servants were often not permitted to wash feet and was left to gentile servants instead.  Jewish servants generally held a higher religious, legal and social standing in Jewish society and was considered a brother rather than a slave. Gentile servants were often seen as slaves and held lower status in the community.  

Before the Passover meal, Jesus lovingly washed his disciples feet as they entered for the meal. Peter was astonished and appalled, so much so he said to Jesus, in John 13 v 8, "No Jesus, you will never wash my feet".  Jesus answered and said, "Unless I wash your feet you have no part of me". Bearing in mind as well feet washing was usually reserved for the lowest ranking slaves, unlike Jesus who was Jewish and claimed to be the Son of God - the most highest ranking person who was to ever live! 

In Peter's position, I probably would have answered in the same way.  What was Jesus meaning here, as his answer sounded a little bit harsh?  Jesus wasn't being mean to Peter, but using the feet washing as a picture of what he was about to do on the cross, as by doing so, Jesus can make all of us clean and washed from our sin.  It was understandable why Peter didn't yet understand what Jesus was meaning. Jesus says in verse 7, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand".  Jesus was meaning, that when he goes to the cross his life would be a sacrifice for many to wash away the sins of the whole world. 

Not only was Jesus teaching servant leadership but also how to love one another.  The disciples realised this act of washing their feet was the ultimate proof of Jesus' love for them.  In their mind, it was the highest thing Jesus could do, not realising what was to come, that Jesus wasn't going to just wash their feet as a servant, but would be willing to die for them on the cross. At this point, they had no idea of the extent of Jesus' love for them and that it would go far beyond him just washing their feet, that he would experience the horror of the cross and pour out his love for the whole of the human race throughout eternity. 

And that's true for us too, Jesus loved us so much that he didn't just teach us and leave his messages of hope in the bible for us to live by, it went far beyond just that, by him dying for us to wash us clean from our wrong doing and to defeat death, in order for us to one day also defeat death and go to heaven to be with him.  

Jesus was showing his love and humility for all mankind, he wanted to demonstrate to his disciples, that this kind of love and servant leadership was for everyone to participate in.  It doesn't matter our background or status, but we can all love one another and serve one another in humility. We should never think of ourselves more highly than we ought.  Jesus, the king of all kings was washing feet, so what can we then do to help those around us? Wow, what an example to live by. 

Prayer:  Thank you Jesus, that you went to the cross to wash me clean of my sins.  Thank you I am now able to be forgiven and experience heaven.  Thank you for your example of washing feet and may you help in me in my own life to be a servant to many, and help those around me.  Bring opportunities along where I am able to show people your love in a greater way.  Amen