In Jesus’ day people wore sandals and
walked on dusty roads which made their feet filthy. This made it necessary for their
feet to be washed every day. At the last supper, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet
and said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought
to wash on another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you
should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15).
Jesus did this to leave us “an example.”
Does this mean we should be washing people’s feet today? In those days they
walked on dirty roads. Today we ride in cars on paved roads, so there’s no need
to wash feet. I
know of a church that washes people feet every Sunday because Jesus said this.
They miss the point. It’s an example that goes beyond changes in culture.
First,
it’s an example of humility.
In those days washing other people’s feet was a slave’s job. Jesus said, “A
slave is not greater than his master” (13:16) and washed their feet. If no job
was too humiliating for Jesus, no job should be beneath us.
Second,
it’s an example of serving others.
Jesus did not say, “If I wash your feet, you can serve Me by washing My
feet.” He said wash other people's feet. In other words, the way we serve God is to serve others. So what does “washing feet”
mean today?
It could mean mowing someone’s yard, cleaning a bathroom, fixing
someone’s flat tire, shoveling snow off your neighbor’s driveway, or taking a
meal to a sick person. Ask God what He wants you to do. So have you washed any feet lately? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net
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Making Life Count Ministries
P.O. Box 680174
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www.makinglifecount.net Twitter: @KentCrockett
