Would you wash their feet?

Would you wash their feet?

I have tried to live a servant life for all of my life. I had the greatest of examples from my parents and I emulated that as much as I could and then continued until this day. You have to be a person who can bite your tongue, be second, not be easily offended, have a strong sense of what is most important, and know that you are not doing this for yourself or the person you’re serving, you are doing it to show the unconditional love that was demonstrated on this day thousands of years ago.

“Feet washing was a necessary custom during this time period when gathering to have a communal meal. The men would have come in with their feet dust-covered and dirty from the roads. Cleaning of the feet would have been necessary because the group would have likely been reclining together at a low table and dirty feet would not be welcomed so close to their food. It was the servant of a household's job to wash the feet of incoming guests.

Jesus washing the feet of his disciples came with so much significance for both his disciples in this intimate moment and for all Christians who strive to follow Jesus’ example and teachings. This selfless act displayed Jesus’ amazing humility! He took the role of a servant to wash the dusty and dirt-covered feet of his disciples. Jesus was setting an incredible example of what it is to be “Christ-like” through his humble actions. Status, pride, or even dirt did not stop him from rolling up his sleeves to serve the men who had been at his side throughout the duration of his ministry.

Prior to this encounter, the disciples had been fighting amongst themselves trying to determine who was the “greatest” among them (Luke 22:24). Jesus was in a very hands-on way showing them that in his Kingdom the last shall be first and the first shall be last (Matthew 20:16).” ~Amanda Idleman (Christianity.com)

When I was growing up I always thought of Holy Thursday as the “feet washing service”, and to be honest it wasn't my favorite service. I felt sorry for the Pastor who had to get on his knees and move through 12 volunteers, placing their feet in a basin and wash them with a sponge. I remember watching my father as one of those whose feet were washed. He was a regular volunteer at our church and they usually chose the volunteers to be a part of this ceremony. I didn't get the symbolism until I was a bit older and read more of the Bible and of this tradition. Only then did I realize how powerful this action was that Jesus set forth for us to emulate. And more importantly, how He demonstrated the beautiful act of selfless service no matter who you are, or what status you carry.

Now as I think about this altruistic act, I am completely moved by how important it was to him to communicate that we should never feel too full of ourselves to not serve one another. I can only imagine how uncomfortable the disciples must have felt to have their teacher (who they knew was the Messiah) and leader cradle their dirty feet in his hands and purposely make them clean.

Our discipleship itself is cleansed by Jesus, so that we can rightly feel ‘joyful,’ ‘fulfilled,’ ‘free of fear and guilt,’ and impelled to go out ‘even to the ends of the earth, to every periphery.’ In this way we can bring the good news to the most abandoned, knowing that ‘He is with us always, even to the end of the world.’ And please, let us ask for the grace to learn how to be weary, but weary in the best of ways!” ~ Pope Francis

Instead of thinking who I could bow down before and wash the feet of, I wander to the thought of those that Jesus would challenge me to commit that act of humiliating, humble, selfless service to. They wouldn’t want that! They don’t deserve that. I shouldn’t have to serve the one who hurt me, abandoned me, betrayed me. Then I remember that he washed Judas’ feet knowing very well that Judas would leave the room to rally the troops to escort him to his violent death. He knew this, yet he prostrated himself to “HIM”! When I feel my teeth grind, my blood pressure rise, my patience wane, my humbleness dissipate I know that that is when he is telling me to wash feet.

I must remember that it is the greatest of blessings to be the least of these, because if my honor, privilege and accolades are here than they will not be there. Who am I to put myself above the physical, emotional, and spiritual level over the One I wish to be like?

Tonight I reaffirm my determination to be the one who will wash the feet, listen to the difficult stories; allow my schedule to be altered/destroyed/become chaotic; meet any needs that can be met; follow the example that was set before me and own it with all I can physically, emotionally, and spiritually offer.

“Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same -- with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead.” ~ Mother Teresa

“Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love.” ~ Mother Teresa

May you feel the call to wash feet, serve needs, and love unconditionally today and every day forward.

What a beautiful world this could be.

#washfeet

#HolyThursday

#serve

#unconditionallove

#WWJD

#starttoday

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