Love is washing feet

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 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… When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "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 13:1-5,12-15)

During holy week, we rightly focus on Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Last Supper that he shares with His disciples, and His arrest, crucifixion, and resurrection. But in case those stories have become routine for you, take a moment and reflect upon Jesus washing His disciples’ feet in John 13. As you may know, footwashing in those days was the job of Gentile servants. It was so menial that not even a Jewish slave could be required to do it. It is this act that Jesus chooses to do in order to show His disciples what it means to love someone:

 (1) Love is shown not only when we feel like it

Most of what we call love is feelings-based. I love something or someone because of how it makes me feel or because I am attracted to them. I love you because you make me feel good about myself. And when you no longer make me feel good, or I’m no longer attracted to you, that means I no longer love you. But in this scene, Jesus shows that love involves washing dirty feet, even though it does not make us feel good. Love is primarily an action, something that you can do even when the feelings are not there: serve, be kind, forgive, be gentle, speak the truth in love.

 (2) Love means getting dirty

Washing feet was dirty business. Similarly, to love someone is to enter into the mess of their lives. Your home is a mess? Let me help you clean it. Your family is chaotic? Let me enter in to help. Your life is falling apart? Let me serve you.

Philippians 2:5-8 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,  7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!

 (3) Love means serving without thinking of what you will get in return

Love means being willing to do the mundane, the quiet, the overlooked, the difficult, the sacrificial thing. As Jesus said in Matthew 6:1-4, real acts of service are not done in order to get a pat on the back from others or to put people in your debt. Love serves without expecting anything in return. Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto the Lord (Matthew 25:31-46).

(4) Love is not just for your friends, but even for your enemies

Jesus washed the feet of His disciples – ALL of His disciples. Even Judas, who would betray him. Even Peter, who would deny knowing Him. Love means serving even your enemies.

This holy week, see your God, taking the nature of a servant, washing your feet. See Him entering the mess of your life, when you were His enemy, giving His life out of love for you, that  you might be restored to a right relationship with Him and have eternal life.