"… he poured
water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel
that was wrapped around him."
During high school, I spent a couple weeks of my summer at Camp
Metigoshe in North Dakota. One night we talked about humbling ourselves and being
servants. Then, as a sign of humbleness, our counselors washed our feet. As I stood in the
lake, looking at my counselor kneeling in front of me, I was struck by the wonder of Jesus
washing his disciples’ feet.
Feet washing was a common occurrence during Jesus’ time. Sandals
were the most common footwear and walking was the most common means of transportation.
Walking the dirt roads and paths caused a person’s feet to get dirty quickly. Washing
someone’s feet was a gesture of kindness and a way to welcome someone into your home.
By washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus demonstrated what it means to be a Christian.
Too often we picture Jesus as being the majestic and exalted figure we see in paintings.
We forget his humanness. Jesus walked this earth as a man and performed human tasks. By
washing the feet of his followers he reminds us that we are to look at our neighbors with
a humble heart and serve them.
It’s often easier to serve those occasional obvious needs that
arise than to look at the people we see everyday and figure out how to serve them.
Listening to a friend’s concerns, giving a hug, being excited for someone who just
received good news are all ways of serving the people around us. We should take the
example of our Lord and serve each other.
I think again about my counselor, bent over my feet. All week, she was
someone I looked up to and tried to emulate and now here she was touching my ugly feet.
How revealing for both of us. In the same way, Jesus demonstrated his love and compassion
for his friends. I challenge you to look at those around you today and tell them how much
they mean to you. Remember the servant and humble attitude the Son of God demonstrated and
wash the feet of your loved ones.
