Daily Worship

Washing Feet

April 13, 2017 0 1

John 13:5

Jesus washes his disciples’ feet

13 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 round 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 round him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’

7 Jesus replied, ‘You do not realise now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’

8 ‘No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’

Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’

9 ‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’

10 Jesus answered, ‘Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.’ 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

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.

Really Lord?  Are you really going to wash my feet?  If I’d known that, I’d have had a shower just before I came.  I find the closeness quite scary, Lord.  I mean, my feet aren’t exactly those of a male model.  At my age, feet are a wee bit troublesome.  I’ve been walking on them a long time.  If You get so close, You’ll see all my flaws.  You might even see inside my soul never mind the soles of my feet.

Lord, I don’t want to be like Peter, opening my mouth and putting one of these feet right in it.  I know You already know me.  I know You know all my faults and failings.  I can’t hide anything from You, far less a bunion or two.  You know my sins.  Yet You love me.    You ate what was to be Your Last Supper with Your closest companions. Then You washed the feet of Your friends.  You prepared for the pain that lay ahead.  And all of this You did for them, and for me, because You love us.  You love me.  An act of service by the Servant King.

Jesus – You are incredible.  Thank You for being You.  Help me to become more like You.