Just think for a second how dirty feet got in Jesus’ day. You would have worn a pair of very flimsy sandals that covered very little of your feet. It would not take long for your feet to be covered in muck, mire, dust, and worse. Don’t forget, animals wandered the streets freely. Feet were nasty, dirty things and the job of washing feet was one of the most menial tasks that servant could have.
When Jesus sat down to dinner with His disciples no one had washed their feet, as unheard of as going to an Irish home and not being offered a cup of tea. Not one of the disciples would lower himself to take up a towel and bowl of water to wash feet. Surely that was far beneath what would be asked of them.
Imagine the looks on their faces when the Master Himself took off His outer garment, tucked a towel into his waist, took up a bowel of water, and began washing feet. Apparently only Peter attempted to protest that the Teacher was washing their feet, the lowest task in the household. Laying aside the Biblical lessons He had for them; just consider what was really going on. The Son of Man was washing the feet of those whom He was about to die for! Here was the physical manifestation of Philippians 2 where Jesus took on the form of a servant.
Well and good. But what did Jesus say next? “I want you to go out and do what I have done. As I have washed your feet, wash each other’s feet.” Jesus was teaching that the greatest task for His followers was to serve. His last great instructions, His farewell message, His closing teaching was about serving.
How do we do? What is important to us? If Jesus told us to wash feet, should we not jump at the chance to make a cup of tea, drive a friend someplace, comfort a hurting friend in their time of need, open our homes to others, or cut the grass of a neighbour?
How are we doing when it comes to washing feet?
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