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 around 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 around 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 realize 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.
-John 13:1-17 NIV
Can you imagine what it must have been like to have Jesus wash your feet? Your Teacher, your Lord, your Messiah, the One worthy of all your devotion and all your worship, is washing the dirt, the grime, the dust and the nastiness from chamber pots dumped in the streets, off your feet? This is a task reserved for the lowest of servants in the household, not the Master seated at the place of highest honor at the dining table.
Would you be shocked? Would you feel a bit exposed? Uncomfortable? Awkward? Humbled? Would you object to this bizarre act like Peter? Or would you sit stunned in silence as Jesus kneeled down in front of you, pouring water over your grody feet?
In reality, Jesus has washed all our feet. No, we weren’t present with the disciples at this meal. But Jesus has cleansed us with His blood, washed us clean with His sacrificial death on the cross. When we truly reflect on what Jesus has done for us, we too are left in a state of shock, overwhelmed with wonder, humility, and love.
Jesus told His disciples to wash one another’s feet. To pick up the towel, stoop down and tend to the business of cleaning up each other’s messes, just as Jesus had done.
In life and leadership, we get a front row seat to the dirt and grime those around us carry with them. We see the messy parts of being human– the flaws, the sins, the disappointments, the heartbreaks and the losses our brothers and sisters have. Jesus models for us what to do with all that dirt. We are not to not be disgusted by it, ignore it or leave it for another to tend to. Jesus tells us to humble ourselves, roll up our sleeves, and show love that covers a multitude of sins. Love that heals and restores and gives dignity and honor. Jesus teaches us how to truly serve one another– where vulnerability isn’t weaponized, but where sincere love and devotion are fostered and flourish.
So today, whose feet can you clean? Who can you listen to? Who can you pray with? Who can you encourage? Who can you forgive? Who can you support and help? Everyone gets dirt on their feet, including you and me. We can’t solve everyone’s problems, and we can’t make everyone happy. But we can wash some feet. We can serve others like Jesus has served us.