Jesus got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. then he began to wash the disciples feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. John 13:4-5.
It was Thursday, the only day left in which Jesus would see a sunset or eat a meal with others. On Thursday Judas had already set the stage for Jesus’ betrayal. On Thursday a crowd would come to arrest him before his kangaroo trial. On that day Jesus ate, a day early, the Passover meal with his disciples.
What would mark this Passover meal as different in nature was when Jesus, before the meal, left to the table to get a bowl of water and a towel. The usual practice was for a host of provide this service, but the household servants would actually do this menial task. Only this time, the person washing feet was the host.
I imagine that the disciples were stunned by this gesture. Peter gasped and said, “you will never wash my feet.” As if to say, “you’re the Master, and I should be washing your feet.” But in this one act was summarized the whole life and mission of Jesus. He was the one who left his home as God to take up the towel of humanity and wash, through the cross, all our feet.
The act of washing feet is profound in its impact. It is so intimate: touching, washing, drying. And it requires a willing humility and submissiveness to kneel down, almost like bowing before another. You could never imagine any of the world’s powerful leaders ever doing this. Because we all know what it symbolizes, and we don’t want our leaders to be anything but strong.
Jesus was preparing his disciples for the kind of life they would have to live from that point on. And he prepares us as well. “I have given you an example to follow,” John 13:15.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to take seriously the command with which you have left us. May we give every effort to fear power and love the towel. And may we awake to all the opportunities we have to serve those humble souls around us. Amen.