March 19, 2011: Who Is Washing Whose Feet?

Let us suppose that you are in the presence of Jesus and some foot-washing is going on. Understand first that in the ancient Middle East foot-washing was a menial job done by slaves or perhaps by the youngest member of a household. A five-year-old could do it. Independent grown men did not wash one another's feet. It was an act of deference that lesser people did for the benefit of greater people.

So again, you're with Jesus and there is a bucket and a towel handy. Who is washing whose feet? Is he washing yours, or are you washing his?

In John 13 Jesus washed his disciples' feet, and this unusual act of service - Jesus the king taking the role of a slave! - has tempted some proud souls to view Jesus as their foot-washer in chief. I have even heard sermons encouraging people to regard Jesus this way: "If Jesus were here, he'd want to wash your feet." But such rhetoric misses the point of what Jesus did that night.

Consider this: how many times did Jesus wash his disciples' feet? Once. Once only. After his resurrection four days later, he met with his disciples repeatedly and even ate with them, but it is not recorded that he ever washed their feet again. Of course, the notion of them expecting him to do so is preposterous and vile. Imagine Peter meeting Jesus later and exclaiming (while slipping out of sandals and plopping down prone on a mat), "Jesus! Good thing you're here. Boy did I step in some nasty stuff outside. Bucket's in the corner. You'll find a towel in the closet."

When Jesus washed his disciples' feet, he was not, not saying to them, "From now on I want you to view me as your humble servant. Any time you need a good foot-washing, I'm there for you." God forbid. On the contrary, Jesus made his point explicit by saying, "Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you" (John 13:13-15). The lesson was clear: Jesus served his disciples not because he was their servant, but because he wanted them to serve one another.

If you would like to picture yourself in a foot-washing episode with Jesus, the text you want to go to is Luke 7:36-48. There a penitent sinner washed Jesus' feet. While Jesus dined with a Pharisee, a woman "who had lived a sinful life" wet his feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, and poured perfume on them. She grieved her sin and served Jesus with all she had. The Pharisee, on the other hand, didn't even bother providing Jesus with the normal services that should have been done for an honored guest.

The Bible likes to pair up penitent people grieving their sin with impenitent self-righteous snots and declare that only the former are forgiven. For more examples of this theme see the parable of the tax collector and the Pharisee (Luke 18:9-14) and the story of the two men crucified next to Jesus (Luke 23:39-43). Penitent people hate their sin and throw themselves unconditionally at Jesus' feet. The proud, on the other hand - if they relate to Jesus at all - seem to view him as their service-provider. That service need not be foot-washing: it could be a free meal (John 6:26); a miraculous show (Luke 23:8); a manifestation of prophetic insight (Luke 7:39; 22:64); a financial windfall (Luke 12:13); or even a fiery judgment on those who irritate them (Luke 9:54).

View yourself as a servant of Jesus Christ. You're here to honor him, render service to him, do his will rather than wait for him to do yours. Demand nothing of him, but humbly plead his grace. To paraphrase President John F. Kennedy, ask not what Jesus can do for you. Ask what you can do for Jesus.