washing feet

Yesterday I was talking about touch, or more specifically massage. I know that seems like kind of a strange topic (My friend Mike was wondering) but what a remarkably sensitive sense it is. Touch. Jesus uses it all the time in healing. As in,

Luke 4:40 When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.

The disciples are also encouraged to do it, as well. They must have seen some results.

Acts 8:18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money

Then there is washing feet. When Jesus washed the disciple’s feet it was a very interesting phenomena. We all know it was the slave’s work in Jesus’ day. What we may not know is that slaves were also naked or near naked when they did this. Jesus took off his clothes and put a towel on to dry the feet. It is not as if he had another robe underneath like Harpo Marx. Remember how he used to be wearing several suits and then he would take them off?

So Jesus was near naked, a state of shame, which of course would be repeated when they took his clothes before nailing him to the cross. A metaphor of ultimate servanthood even in the midst of shame? Perhaps.

Why did he do this? Well, let’s let him tell us for himself.

John 13:12 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. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

It is not just the humility of doing servant work that bothered Peter. It is the cultural shame of near nakedness. Still a taboo in many places in the Middle East. Later, Peter is also ashamed of Jesus on the cross. At least he goes and hides.

Jesus tells all of us, “Enough of that. No one is too cool to serve in any way necessary.”

Footwashing is not an option but a model.