Good morning…
As shared in yesterday’s blog post, Jesus came to nineteen year old Audrey DeShetler in a vision, washing clean her weary feet. “Audrey, you are well.” She heard Jesus speak to her directly for the very first time.
Then later in the day, another friend wrote to me: “After reading today’s blog, I had to share what showed up in my Facebook memories. (See the photo above of Jesus washing the feet of a disciple.) There are many of these sculptures around the country— the closest is in Cleveland TN— at the headquarters of the Church of God. Much love to Audrey, et al.”
The story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper is found in the book of John, chapter thirteen. In the first verse, we begin to read.
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Before the Passover festival began, Jesus was keenly aware that His hour had come to depart from this world and to return to the Father. From beginning to end, Jesus’ days were marked by His love for His people. Before Jesus and His disciples gathered for dinner, the adversary filled Judas Iscariot’s heart with plans of deceit and betrayal. Jesus, knowing that He had come from God and was going away to God, stood up from dinner and removed His outer garments. He then wrapped Himself in a towel, poured water in a basin, and began to wash the feet of the disciples, drying them with His towel.
Simon Peter (as Jesus approaches): Lord, are You going to wash my feet?
Jesus: Peter, you don’t realize what I am doing, but you will understand later.
Peter: You will not wash my feet, now or ever!
Jesus: If I don’t wash you, you will have nothing to do with Me.
Peter: Then wash me but don’t stop with my feet. Cleanse my hands and head as well.
Jesus: Listen, anyone who has bathed is clean all over except for the feet. But I tell you this, not all of you are clean.
He knew the one with plans of betraying Him, which is why He said, “not all of you are clean.” After washing their feet and picking up His garments, He reclined at the table again.
Jesus: Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and truly, that is who I am. So if your Lord and Teacher washes your feet, then you should wash one another’s feet. I am your example; keep doing what I do (John 13:1-15, VOICE).
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The footnote for this segment of Scripture offers deeper understanding.
“Within pain and filth, there is an opportunity to extend God’s kingdom through an expression of love, humility, and service. This simple act of washing feet is a metaphor for how the world looks through the lens of Jesus’ grace. He sees the people—the world He created—which He loves. He also sees the filthy corruption in the world that torments everyone. His mission is to cleanse those whom He loves from those horrors. This is His redemptive work with feet, families, disease, famine, and hearts.
When Jesus sees disease, He sees the opportunity to heal. When He sees sin, He sees a chance to forgive and redeem. When He sees dirty feet, He sees a chance to wash them.”
There is a lot of pain surrounding us today. Do we see the filthy corruption tormenting everyone in the world through the lens of Jesus’ grace? Every day, we have an opportunity to expand God’s kingdom through expressions of love, humility, and service. Might we join in God’s mission to offer tender care to all those who Jesus loves?
As we are invited into God’s redemptive work, disease becomes an opportunity to heal. Sin and brokenness offer us a chance to forgive and to redeem. Walking through our daily lives, we all have dirty feet. As we gather together, might we stand up, removing our outer layers, and share with each other the cleansing connection of God’s healing love?
Following the example of our Teacher, we keep doing what Jesus did, loving as Jesus loved.
…Sue…
