Holy Week - Pt. 3

 

Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not 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, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean.” (John 13:5-10 ESV).

 

What has come to be known as “Maundy Thursday” was a pivotal day in Holy Week. Our reading describes the beginning of what we have come to know as “the Last Supper.” All the preparations had been made for the Passover. As the disciples gathered, Jesus assumes the position of a servant and begins to wash their feet. It had to have been a stunning moment.  The Master, with a towel wrapped around His waist like a slave, kneeling to wash His disciples’ dirty smelly feet covered with the dust of Jerusalem. Though Peter protested, he was rebuked to submit, to comprehend the symbolism of the act.

 

It was the most powerful image of what the relationship of one believer ought to have with another believer. Jesus, the Redeemer and Master, stoops to the lowliest of positions in service for His disciples. We must not miss the meaning here. First, it was Jesus affirming for each of them that His death and forgiveness was more than enough. Nothing else needed to be done. They were secure. And, second, their lives, though not perfect, would always have the daily cleansing of sin from His sacrifice. So He continues to wash off our everyday grime and gently, tenderly wipes us clean, knowing, realizing we will only get soiled again.

 

It is also an example of how we are to treat one another. So often we divide over the most ridiculous reasons. We forget that a servant has no rights. We are purposed to serve those around us. It’s hard to disagree over these nonessentials when you are washing one another’s feet. I wonder how many divisions through the centuries could have been prevented if every meeting began with this exercise? Jesus shows us the way. It is that of wondrous love! We must love like that!