Living Stones – Monday, January 29, 2018
Dirty feet
John 13:8
Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”
This foot washing business in the church can be very controversial, confusing, and disconcerting. A few years ago, at our ministers’ meeting, we were caught off guard when the Bishop announced that, instead of communion, we were going to have foot washing. What!?
It seemed that in preparation for this dramatic event new basins and towels were bought and much water was available. We had to grab a basin, a towel, some water and a partner and get about the task of washing their feet and then have them wash yours. Well, this was as awkward as it gets. I was about to say to the person who was setting up to wash my feet just what Peter said, “You shall never wash my feet!”
Some persons argue that Jesus was establishing an ordinance, like the communion, when he said “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” John 13:14-15. Others think that this was a lesson in humility and service to one another that we must learn and demonstrate in various ways.
The actual foot washing, as described here by the Apostle John, in John 13:1-17, has a cultural and practical context. The roads in first century Palestine, like many parts of the still underdeveloped world today, were made of unpaved mud. In the dry season, these roads were full of dust, and in the wet season, these roads were mud and slush. Also, the shoes at the time were very primitive, sandals comprising of a sole and some straps by which it was attached. Whatever the season, after you’ve had your bath and gone out, you’re going to arrive at your destination with dirty feet.
Jesus had arranged this large furnished upper room for He and His disciples to have the traditional Passover meal. It seemed that the disciples were the ones to prepare the feast themselves and no servants were made available by the owner of the house or hired by the disciples.
The absence of servants gave Jesus and His disciples the privacy He required for this critical moment, the last Passover meal with them. He was going to be moving from here swiftly to the cross and they had to be prepared. But the absence of servants also meant that there was no one designated to pour water for them to wash their feet.
Jesus and His disciples seem to have been in the room eating with unwashed feet. Clearly, the absence of this cultural and practical ritual did not affect the consumption of the meal, but it seems as though another issue developed. The Apostle John is the only person to leave this foot washing episode on record, but the other Gospel writers do give us some other insights as to what might have been taking place just before Jesus did this dramatic service to the disciples.
Luke 22:24 records that all was not well with the group, “there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest.” Imagine that, of all things, and of all times, this is what the disciples were arguing about. Jesus seized the moment to settle the dispute and to lay down a principle for life in the Kingdom of God here on earth.
John tells us that Jesus, “rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.” Jesus actually made Himself like the servants would have been if hired. Without the outer garment and with an apron. Then, “He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” John 13:4-5.
The moment was perfect, silence hung in the air, the disciples had been arguing about being the greatest but did not learn the lessons of humility and service. There were no servants in the room and none of them had volunteered for the menial task of pouring the water for others to wash their feet. We could assume that none had volunteered to pour water for Jesus either.
Of course, we can always depend on Peter to break an awkward silence. While the others were silent Peter was going to have none of it. Jesus was showing His own humility, He was the greatest but had made Himself like a servant. To Peter this was both humiliating and ludicrous, “Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Peter seemed to be trying to tell Jesus that as Lord He couldn’t be a servant of those who are His followers.
Jesus explained that this was both necessary and important, but Peter pressed on, almost losing it, it seems, “You shall never wash my feet!” he declared. Jesus responded by making it imperative for the disciple. Peter, not one to want to lose the fight, almost asked for a bath, forcing Jesus into more explanation.
Removed from its cultural, environmental and practical context, this foot washing seems totally out of place, however, regardless of our context, it takes on value as a model of behaviour for the saints in the Kingdom of God.
Too often we see the leaders in the church thriving on being served rather than finding and seizing the opportunities to serve the people of God. Too often also we find saints, so consumed with themselves that there is no time to seize the opportunity to be of service to each other. Too often no one is willing to pour the water on dirty feet. We need to learn that lesson from the upper room.
Think on these things:
- Would you be comfortable if there was foot washing at your next church service?
- What are some of the ways your church leaders demonstrate servant leadership?
- Can you think of any ways in which you could serve this week?
Prayer focus:
Let us pray today that we see how we could serve others and do it.
In His Grace
Pastor Alex