Devotion by: Lori & Rene Fredette
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, ‘Not all of you are clean.’
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
Sometimes, a seemingly simple act can have a major significance and lasting consequences. Such an act by Jesus during the last supper, washing the feet of his disciples, would set forth a lasting example of humility to be learned and practiced by His disciples. After the death of Jesus, these disciples and their successors, against impossible odds, successfully convinced (and converted) people from all nationalities to the fact that a Messiah had come to fulfill the Jewish prophecies, died for all of us, and would return at the end of the world to judge everyone, Jew and Gentile. What made this message of love so meaningful, allowing it to take root? Could it be Jesus expanded the meaning of both humility and love?
During the early stages of the spread of Christianity, what compelled these disciples to die for their beliefs? Even more strikingly, what compelled their converts, who had neither seen nor heard Jesus speak (nor experienced the awe of His miracles), to allow themselves to be torn apart by lions in the Roman arena? Surely giving testimony to their faith was an emulation of the commitment of love and humility by their savior, the son of God. Surely, a message of love has greater depth when accompanied by humility for then it is all-inclusive.
There are various interpretations as to why Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. During that time, most of the people wore sandals and traveled along dusty roads. Thus, a need existed for having their feet washed upon entering a dwelling. The rich tasked this act of washing guests’ feet to only the lowest of their servants. Others, not so wealthy, washed the feet of their guests themselves – perhaps in the spirit of hospitality. And so the disciples were shocked that Jesus stooped to wash their feet. When Simon initially refused to accept this washing, Jesus told him “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me”. Of course Simon acquiesced and immediately requested to have his hands and head washed as well, which was not granted since he “was clean”.
A common interpretation of the washing of feet is that Jesus urges His disciples (and their successors) to practice a commitment to humility and not to succumb to self-importance. For Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet, for I have given you an example, that ye should do what I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord; neither he that is sent is greater than he that sent him”.
Among the interpretations of the washing of feet (taken from web sites) is that it was one of the symbols of reaching out to everyone - stepping beyond the boundaries of traditional Jewish laws and expectations. The Messiah did not come to liberate the Jews from the Romans: instead, up would be down, poor would be rich, etc. There would not be a rejection of government, but a foundation of an understanding of power that rejects the notion of violence and control. In Jesus’ words: “So the last will be first, and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16).
In summary, the important lesson to be learned here is that the Son of God, master of the universe, knelt down in an act of true commitment, washed the feet of those who were to be sent to proclaim God’s glory and to teach others/us. This same loving, humble commitment is portrayed in the powerful Michaelangelo painting of the creation of man: God reaches out “to touch us” and we are invited to touch Him.
PRAYER: Oh Lord, guide us in thoughts and deeds, so that we may continue to strive to be worthy of your commitment and the sacrifice of your beloved son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
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