Feet
I am not a fan of feet. I’m thankful that I have feet. But I’ve never thought that feet were pretty. They are definitely functional to get me where I need to go. My feet go places and step into things that are pretty disgusting. They stay stuffed away in my shoes all day or if I wear sandals, they get pretty dusty and dirty too. One of my kids had stinking feet all the time. They weren’t allowed to take their shoes off when traveling in the car! J I’m thankful for Podiatrist to help keep my feet working properly if I need them.
In Jesus’ day, everyone wore sandals or went barefoot. Their feet were pretty dirty at the end of the day. Before they would eat, they would wash their hands and feet because without chairs at the table, they might be next to someone else’s nasty feet. (ewe!) Check this out…
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.(John 13:1-5; 12-17 NIV)Jesus taught a very powerful lesson by example. He washed the feet of all His followers – even the one who was about to betray Him. He established that His followers were servants and would be wise to follow His example. I believe this to be one of the big turning points with His disciples. They began to understand after His death and resurrection what all of this meant. How could they forget Him washing their feet.
I had someone wash my feet when I was a student pastor and it was a humbling experience, both for the young man washing my feet and for me. I believe Jesus wants me to serve with humility and kindness. I believe that He wants me to love like He loves and to serve like He served. Love is more than words – it’s sometimes washing nasty, stinking feet.
Pressing On! Dwayne