To be clear: Jesus is the master. He has washed their feet. And in doing so, he has demonstrated who they should be and what they should do.1
But, he put his robes back on and took his place.
He’s still in his place - master, teacher, Lord, savior.
He has called his people to be servants first. But he is not deferential.
On this Sunday, as you gather to worship with the Church—wherever you are—may Christ be present to you by his Spirit, both in humility and in glory.
John 13:12-20
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. I’m not speaking about all of you. I know those whom I’ve chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture, The one who eats my bread has turned against me.
“I’m telling you this now, before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I Am. I assure you that whoever receives someone I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
Psalm 41:9-13
Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. But you, O Lord, be gracious to me, and raise me up, that I may repay them! By this I know that you delight in me: my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. But you have upheld me because of my integrity, and set me in your presence forever. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.
Prayer
God,
Teach me what humility means in my own life. As people—my wife, my kids, pastors, churches, and strangers alike—look at me for the variety of reasons they do, help me to live in humble authority. Man…even as I pray that it sounds stupidly oxymoronic. So help me even with what I should be praying, God. (I mean, help me to pray for the right thing.)
Shape my heart to be as of Christ’s, but never let me lose sight of who you are. Help me to live ready to bend low in love while standing firm in faith.
I pray for my brothers and sisters in your Church as we all gather today. May we worship you not only with our words, but with our lives—by the way we serve, love, and follow after you.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.
Why isn’t foot-washing a sacrament? It actually is for some corners of the Church, but for most it is not, despite Jesus being ever more clear than even baptism and communion that it is something we should must do (he says it explicitly, twice).