Washing Feet

March 25, 2017

Angus Budge

John 13 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and 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. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Episode Notes

Doesn't Jesus use imagery beautifully!! Here he is hours away from the cross, having listened to his disciples arguing over who would get to sit where in the new Kingdom!! What a sight it must have been. As they focus on themselves, Jesus doesn't say, 'hey listen, don't you know what's about to happen to me! How about you forget about yourselves and look after me.' He could have done that, but he didn't.

Instead he gets up wraps a towel around himself gets on his knees, humbles himself and washes filthy stinky feet! Not his but theirs.

Peter objects, 'Jesus you can't wash my feet'. 'Peter', Jesus says, if I don't wash you you can have no part of me'.

What a lesson. We take life lightly, we take Jesus lightly. Jesus says unless I wash you can have no part of the kingdom. We need to be washed by Jesus, we can't wash ourselves he and only he can take the filth that separates us from him away from us.

And look at what he teaches. You focus on yourselves. You worry about where you will be sitting. That's not how I've taught you to live. I want you to think less about yourselves and more about others - learn to serve. That's what kingdom living is all about

And only 24 hours later - Jesus gave himself up to die. The ultimate washing - his blood poured out for us to see the judgement of God that was due to us fall on Jesus not us.

And what a service - as Jesus washed Judas's feet - one who would betray him, he died for me and for you, ones who often betray him.

That's love - we are told to do as he did. Love the unlovely, and focus not on ourselves but others.

Who can you serve and love this week?