Lenten Reader | Day 35

April 14th, 2025

Washing Feet

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

John 13:12-17

Feet! 10 wiggly toes. For many of us our feet are the least beautiful part of our body but so necessary to take us where we need to go. This was the case with the disciples who daily walked the hot, dusty roads as they traveled with Jesus.

Knowing the events soon to follow this last meal with His disciples, Jesus used foot washing to show them “the full extent of his love” (John 13:1). He removed his robe and took the position of the lowliest slave by wrapping a towel around his waist to dry their feet. Moved by love for his disciples, the God of the universe stooped to cleanse dirty, grimy, and likely smelly feet. At first Peter objected but then wanted a full bath from the Lord. From the Message paraphrase of the Bible Jesus explains, “My concern, you understand, is holiness, not hygiene.”

Having someone wash your feet is a very humbling act between the giver and the receiver. Holiness comes from a yielding of our spirit to God. This brokenness of heart enables us to see others as God sees them and do what we normally wouldn’t do for them. Actions from holiness of the heart is how others will see God in our lives.

Prayer: “Lord, help me to see the deeper needs of others so that I may serve them as you would.”

Anne Cox