A Foot Washing
Reflection by Bridget Kokolis
Last week for our Friday Reflection, we began to look closely at the most memorable moments of Jesus’ journey through Holy Week. We continue this today, as we sit with Jesus and the disciples in the Upper Room on the night he was betrayed.
A few days have passed since Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Jesus is preparing himself and his disciples for what is to happen the very next day. They have all gathered in the Upper Room to share a meal together. Only two people in the room know that something big and heartbreaking is looming over this moment, as Judas had already set into motion his act of betrayal. Imagine that you are a disciple sitting around this table. You and your friends are enjoying a meal together. The room is full of storytelling, laughter, and banter. You have no idea that this meal will become known in history as the Last Supper.
At some point, Jesus gets up from the table. As he takes off his outer robe and ties a towel around himself, do you wonder what he is doing? As you look on, you see him begin to pour water into a basin. He takes your foot, filthy from the dusty roads, and begins to wash it like a house servant. You’ve had this done before, but never by Jesus. Are you tempted to yank it away? Are you embarrassed, ashamed, or uncomfortable? He’s your teacher! He’s the Son of God! What is he doing? When he’s finished he carefully wipes your clean feet with the towel that is wrapped around his waist, and moves on to the next person with care.
By the time he gets to Peter’s feet, Peter outright refuses, feeling that this is too lowly an act for Jesus to do. Jesus quickly reframes the situation, saying that if he does not allow Jesus to serve him, Peter will have no part with him going forward. Peter, realizes his hesitancy is wrong and declared that Jesus can wash not just his feet, but his head and his hands too! Classic Peter.
After washing the feet of all of the disciplines, Jesus puts his robe on and returns to the table. As he often does, he turns to you all with a question. It’s time for a lesson. “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” After this, he tells you all that he will soon be gone, and you will not be able to find him, but gives you one final commandment to love one another, just as he has loved you.
What a powerful experience this must have been for all those in that Upper Room. Jesus’ act of servitude, humility, and love was incredible. Let us not forget that he knew that he had been betrayed. How must that have felt as he washed even the feet of his betrayer? As he offers this gift of humble service, he exhorts them to continue what they have learned. He has shown them how even a small act of care can demonstrate love in a powerful way.
One of the hymns I remember singing over and over as a child is “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love” and those words are etched deep into my heart. How will others know that we are followers of a loving God who humbled himself over and over and taught us the importance of love? They’ll know it by our love. The moments when we stop and we decide to show care to others in big ways and small ways matter. Jesus instructed the disciples to serve others and Jesus expects us to do so as well. When we succeed in following this commandment, then we bring love and light to a world that desperately needs it. Let’s follow in Jesus’ footsteps the remainder of this Lenten season and beyond and together see what happens.