[Jesus] 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. --John 13:4-5
I know, I know. We were here in these verses yesterday. But I keep coming back to this passage, having really spent time with it while preparing a sermon.
What struck me, among other things, is this: Jesus washed at least twenty-four feet. He washed the tired, dirty feet of all twelve of his disciples-- at least. (We are not given a guest list. There may have been others there.)
These were not the well-groomed, neatly scrubbed feet of a twenty-first century gentleman. These men likely wore sandals, if any footwear at all. The sandals would have been crudely (by our standards) crafted from animal skins. Ever noticed how the mingling of tired, sweaty feet and "leather" creates a remarkable odor all its own?
The disciples' feet would have been heavily calloused, nails rugged and jagged.
Jesus did not have a ginormous beach towel to wash and dry those feet. His towel was likely about the size of a large hand towel.
Imagine this: You are on your knees, washing these feet, drying them with a towel so small, your face is right there next to those same tired, dirty, smelly feet.
And as if that is not enough? Jesus knew he would soon be betrayed by one of these twelve whom he had brought into the "inner circle" of his ministry, taught and loved on patiently from the time he called each of them to come and follow.
Wow. Now that's love.
Lord Jesus, teach me to love as you have loved-- even him (or her). Amen.
What came to mind while reading this is who was the last one to get their feet washed and what did the towel and the water look like by then (and was there enough water?). And also, who washed Jesus' feet, someone else, Jesus Himself, or no one?
ReplyDeleteInconsequential questions,but thought of none-the-less.
Not inconsequential at all. You have just unearthed the gift of sitting in the narrative. You placed yourself at the Table and watched-- saw what was happening.
ReplyDeleteTwenty-four gross, dusty feet later, either the water was practically mud itself, or Jesus was making many trips to change the water. HE was dirty, but he still desired his beloved to be refreshed, cleansed-- and loved on as if he (or she) were the only one, THE disciple whom he loved.
As for who washed his feet? I believe Jesus took the dirt and filth of those whom he loves to the Cross with him.
Been thinking on "...as if he (or she) were the only one, THE disciple whom he loved." I think that is why we don't know who it is that the narrative says is His favorite disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, even though everyone alludes that this disciple was John. I am thinking we are all His favorite, we are ALL the one whom Jesus loved the most, therefore, His favorite is never named.
ReplyDeleteWell, it does seem pretty sure that the disciple whom Jesus loved was John. And little things, like him pointing out that he beat Peter in the race to the tomb, are worth a smile. They were just like big kids.
ReplyDeleteBut at the same time-- we ARE each beloved of God. And rather than his favorite never named, arguably, name ANY name and Jesus, like Papa in "The Shack," would likely reply that he is especially fond-- of that one (me). lol