Saturday 15th November
Read John 13:12-17
“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.” (NIVUK)
Some Christians through history have taken Jesus’ words more literally than others. They have instituted foot-washing in obedience to the ‘example’ that Jesus has set. Their earnestness could be admired but the bigger question really concerns why, mentioned only once, would Christians take this as a sacramental act. There are many other ‘examples’ also mentioned only once that have not been adopted.
The ’example’ Jesus gives is less about the washing of feet, and more about the willingness to humbly place yourself in the service of others – even others you consider below you in the social hierarchy. If Jesus has demonstrated that He, as the Teacher and Lord, is willing to wash their feet – then there is no-one whose feet we should be unwilling to stoop down and clean.
