Clean Feet, Betrayal, & Love
Maundy Thursday
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 | John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Sometimes the question is asked: “If you knew you were going to die soon, what would you do with your time?” Trips around the world, particularly good food, time spent with immediate family…in the gospel of John, Jesus washed his followers’ feet and made sure they knew he loved them. It’s likely most, if not all, would do the latter, but the foot-washing - it’s hard to believe that would be on the minds of many.
The question of why foot-washing is not a sacrament is beyond the text, for in it, Jesus seems pretty clear. It’s certainly the human element, right? It’s so weird to many, if not most. Dash some water on me, give me a bit of bread and wine, but washing feet? …on the regular? What kind of evangelism is that?
But for those who’ve gone through it, it can be such a powerful and humbling reminder of Jesus’ nature, character, and call. If you’ve bent over and washed someone’s feet and then think about the Son of God doing it, the implications are thought-provoking, if not action-shaping.
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully.
Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.”
“No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!”
Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.”
Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!”
Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.”
After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.
…
When Judas was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Human One has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify the Human One in himself and will glorify him immediately. Little children, I’m with you for a little while longer. You will look for me—but, just as I told the Jewish leaders, I also tell you now—‘Where I’m going, you can’t come.’
“I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, when you love each other.”
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
I love the Lord because he hears
my requests for mercy.
I’ll call out to him as long as I live,
because he listens closely to me.
…
What can I give back to the Lord
for all the good things he has done for me?
I’ll lift up the cup of salvation.
I’ll call on the Lord’s name.
I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord
in the presence of all God’s people.
The death of the Lord’s faithful
is a costly loss in his eyes.
Oh yes, Lord, I am definitely your servant!
I am your servant and the son of your female servant—
you’ve freed me from my chains.
So I’ll offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to you,
and I’ll call on the Lord’s name.
I’ll keep the promises I made to the Lord
in the presence of all God’s people,
in the courtyards of the Lord’s house,
which is in the center of Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
Prayer
God,
I gotta tell you: the lengths of Jesus’ reach during Holy Week can be beyond my own. I’m grateful to know of his deep love for me and for us. From basin and towel to crown and cross, his love is so very evident to me.
But I don’t want to just feel his love, I feel compelled to live a life shaped by it.
So help me, God:
Maybe I won’t take up an actual crucifix, but work in and through me the same sacrifice. Give me the humility that comes with stooping over and washing and drying someone’s feet. Fill me with vision for such power and servanthood.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.