Service

Downloadable Reflection Guide

John 13:14–15

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.

 

On the night we now celebrate as Maundy Thursday, Jesus gathered His disciples in an upper room to celebrate the Passover. This would be the last Passover He would celebrate with them. Before the meal began, the disciples began to notice that no one was there to wash their feet before the meal. Now, this might not seem critical to modern ears, but if you consider that the disciples were wearing sandals, that they had been walking in the dust and animal feces, and that rather than sitting in chairs they would be reclining at a low table on cushions, you start to see how important getting their feet washed was. Given those details, it is only natural that the disciples wanted to avoid having each other's smelly feet near their faces as they reclined at the table. Additionally, given how dirty a job that was, none of them were remotely interested in getting their own hands dirty just prior to eating.

In that context, Jesus grabbing a towel and water basin to wash the disciples' feet is truly revolutionary. The most important person at that meal was about to do the lowliest of menial tasks. The disciples were understandably shocked. Even if they did not yet fully understand who Jesus was, they were for the most part confident that He was the Messiah. How could Jesus touch, let alone wash their feet? Peter even refuses at first to allow this.

After washing all of the disciples' feet, Jesus then offers them additional teaching to help explain why He did what He did. In John 13:12b-15 we read what Jesus taught, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”   Thus we are called to do as Jesus did. We are called to serve. Washing feet may not be the specific service that God calls you to, but rest assured as followers and disciples of Christ we all are called to serve. Vocationally we as Lutherans understand that through serving others we serve our Lord. Thus, when we get our hands dirty bringing aid to those around us, doing things that others might think are below them, we are merely doing as Christ did before us. 

Thoughts for Reflection

What are ways that you have and/or that you can serve those in need around you?