John 13:1-17
We
continue our journey today through the Gospel of John, through this season of
Lent, towards the Cross. In these opening words, we find these verses:
Jesus
knew … that he had come from God and was returning to God, so
he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel
around his waist. (Jn 13:3-4)
This
reveals Jesus’ motivation, the why of his life. What moves us to act? What are
the motivations of our lives? Jesus was very aware of his motivation—his
relationship with God. And, what would happen if God and our relationship with
God were our motivations?
Washing
feet was the work of slaves, servants. It was an important part of hygiene
since people walked the streets with dogs, sheep, donkeys, camels, and the
occasional horse. Feet got nasty in the streets of Jerusalem and in every other
village, so having one’s feet washed a part of their lives.
First,
Jesus does this for his disciples and calls them to do so for one another. Jesus
doesn’t say, “Go out and wash everyone’s feet!” This is the people of God
taking care of the people of God. While caring for those outside the church might
be easier and more exciting, Jesus wants us to take care of each other, to
serve each other. Are we taking care of each other? Are we helping one another
as we help those outside? “By this the world will know you are my disciples if
you love one another….”
Jesus
washes feet without being asked. No one says, “Wow…me feet sure are dirty. I
wish someone would wash my feet.” Jesus sees the need and responds. How often
do we wait for someone to ask? How often do we sit around, aware of a need, and
say to ourselves, “Well, if he asks me…if she asks me….” Or, worse, “Well, that’s
not MY job…I hope someone takes care of that….”
Finally,
we note the obvious…that the disciples’ feet are dirty. If the disciples’ feet
are dirty, it means they’ve been in the streets, among people who need to hear
the Good News of God. Are our feet dirty? Have we been in the streets? Have we
been among people as disciples? Have we been getting our feet…or our hands…or
anything dirty to suggest we’ve been among people who need to know the Good
News of God’s love?
Jesus—Lord
and Teacher, Rabbi, Son of God—shows us that we are to serve one another. We
seem to get it idea of loving neighbor, caring for the needy, but we sometimes
forget one another. When Jesus says, “I have set you an example that you should
do as I have done for you,” he is not talking about washing feet—he is talking
about the dirty work of slaves, doing what needs to be done, and doing out of
our love for God.
The
“greatest” Christians are those who served—who spent their lives serving
others. We look to Mother Teresa, E. Stanley Jones, and the millions of
silently serving Christians who never had a book written about them because
they weren’t making headlines; they were simply serving others. Simone Wiel writes,
“Christianity is pre-eminently the religion of slaves, that slaves cannot help
belonging to it, and I among others.” Does that offend you? Jesus has shown us
over and over, and he has even told us: “The Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve….” (Matthew 20:28).
Jesus
today offers us different way—a life motivated by God, a life in the world as
we share the Good News of God by word and deed, a life of caring for one
another and serving one another. During this Lenten Season, we pray…
“O
God, what needs to change in my life today?
What do I need to do differently?
What do I need to get out of my life and what do I need to add to my life?”
Let
us open our eyes to see what needs to be done, let us serve one another, and
let us do this as we are motivated by God’s love. Above all, let’s make sure
our feet get dirty. Amen
Sunday, March 1, 2026
Towards the Cross - Humility
Watch/Listen:
9AM - HERE
11AM - HERE
