Minister Justin Danielson
Parkview Christian Church
If you are like my daughter, the title has already grossed you out. Hang with me and you will find out this article is about more than washing feet.
We have been going through a sermon series at Parkview Christian Church called One Another. There are at least 100 “One Another” statements in the New Testament of the Bible. Of those 100 there are around 59 that are commands of how Christians are to relate to one another. Obedience to those commands is to be lived out and practiced.
When Jesus was asked by a Pharisee trying to test Him what the greatest commandment was Jesus replied in Matthew 22, “37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Our love for God and others is our driving force to live like Christ. Our love for one another helps compel us to do things even as unpleasant as washing feet.
Jesus sets an example of how we can humbly serve one another out of love in John 13. It was just about time to celebrate the Passover. This is a time the Jews reflected on God getting them out of the bondage of slavery from Egypt and other hard times they had been through as a nation.
Two of the men included during this meal were Judas (the one that would betray Jesus) and Peter (the one that would deny Jesus.)
In those days, the lowest servant would wash the feet of those entering the house. Apparently, this didn’t happen. We find Jesus getting up from the table, laying aside His outer garment and taking a towel and wrapping it around His waist. Jesus saw a need. As the leader, He didn’t point a finger or tell one the Disciples to get to work. By example, He washed everyone’s dirty, dust covered feet. One by one they were all learning the lessons He had been teaching. The first shall be last and the last shall be first. Be humble. Lead by serving. Love one another.
