July 6th - Reflection

John 13:1-17 (NRSV)
Jesus washes the disciples' feet
Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord -- and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.

Reflection
Through the washing of feet, the disciples were permitted to participate in humiliation. This may not seem like something you would want to do, but in this case, Jesus was about to experience a humiliation in his suffering and death on a cross. In this manner, to be able to participate in Jesus humiliation would be a great honor.

So as the disciples experienced the humiliation of permitting Jesus to wash their feet, Jesus set the example for the disciples to go and do likewise for others. We also should be willing and ready for the honor of humiliation in washing the feet of those God gives to us each day.

We are servants in love with Jesus. And in this love we love others to the point of washing their feet. What an honor to be humiliated. What a Savior we have! Thanks be to God!

Prayer
Lord, I look forward to humbly serve all those you give to me this day in your name. --- Amen