Time for a Bath

Introduction

One of the traits which Jesus demonstrated time and again was that of humble service. Jesus did things that we may do a few times—touching sick, talking with the outcast, not flinching with the stench of body odor, finding a way to make the uncomfortable feel comfortable, providing a place of safety for those whose only experience was fear. He placed others before himself, looking for ways to serve and not be served, wanting to provide an example of true love that was not seeking its own way.

The story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples is one of those stories which challenges us if we will allow it to. Tonight we have the opportunity to examine our lives and how we are doing at being humble servants. Let’s hear this story anew with a prayer for humility.

The Story

Jesus and his disciples have spent three and a half years together. They have walked the dusty roads of Galilee, Samaria, and Judea together. There have been lots of ups and downs. Now they have arrived in Jerusalem at the most important feast time in the Jewish calendar—Passover. Passover was a celebration experience, a time to remember God’s deliverance of ancient Israel from Egyptian bondage. There was always a lot of food, but there was also lots of time for reflection as the disciples at the meal would have recounted God’s divine favor for each of them over the past year. Being in Jerusalem at Passover was a special time, with lots of people and an almost circus atmosphere. The temple area was always crowded with people who traveled for miles and days to get to Jerusalem.

Earlier in the week the disciples had seen Jesus in action in the temple. Taking a roughly made whip, Jesus was a man on a mission as he threw tables over, forcing merchants to scatter. The sound of thousands of coins hitting the floor and the sight of animals running in confusion and the noise of voices yelling in fright and protest filled the air. The people applauded; the religious leaders plotted; the disciples planned. For some time the disciples have been discussing which of them would be first when Jesus’s kingdom began. From the gospel accounts this was at the forefront of the disciples’ conversation all week long. Watching the activity in the temple left them convinced that this was going to be a special week of power, majesty, and might.

But first Jesus and his disciples must celebrate the Passover. This was going to be an extra special meal. Not only could the disciples remember what God had done ages ago, but they could thank God for the deliverance which was coming. Jesus had made preparations for the meal. The disciples weren’t sure about those arrangements, but as often happened when Jesus gave instructions they worked out completely. The disciples and Jesus all gather in an upper room for the meal. When they walked into the room the smell of food hit them first—fresh and warm bread baked just moments before, meat that had been carefully cooked with no signs of blood, plenty of wine, and standing on a short stool like piece of furniture was a large clay basin with a large pitcher filled with water and a towel draped around the pitcher.

Filled with excitement and anticipation the disciples enter the room. The table is well prepared and low to the ground. In those days the one who ate would recline at table. Each person would lie down on his left elbow with their feet stretched away from the table, which would leave the right hand free to pick up the food and eat. Everyone knows where Jesus would recline. But what about the others? Having been discussing who was going to be first, it would be important to get the pecking order just right. James and John’s mother had already requested the seats of prominence for her boys and it appears that they got the best seats. The others had to fight over seating arrangements. As each disciple enters the room, each one takes off his outer coat and hangs it on a peg above the basin and pitcher of water.

No one who enters that room fails to notice the objects used to wash feet. Everyone knows what the basin and water are for. Everyone knows that washing feet is a sign of hospitality. Everyone knows that only the least would perform the task of washing feet. And as each coat is hung up and each eye sees the water and towel, each one professes that they are going to be a great leader in Jesus’s kingdom. And with each boastful profession, each one turns away from the towel believing he is too good to perform such a menial task. So they push and shove their way to the banquet table, hoping to be close to Jesus. None are refreshed, but all are hopeful. Tonight will come the announcement they have all been waiting for—the kingdom is ready to begin with power. With dirty feet and equally dirty hearts the men gather around the table to remember God’s deliverance. Little did they know that God would deliver in an unexpected way within the next twenty-four hours.

Humble Service

The meal has begun. The arguing about position doesn’t stop but it takes on a congenial manner. They have eaten a lot of food, drunk some wine, and enjoyed the meal. Jesus has been the perfect host. Everyone at the table knows who the teacher is and who the leader is. Suddenly without any words, Jesus gets up and walks to the door. He stands there for a moment and then with no fanfare he takes off his garment. He stoops down and lifts the pitcher of water and carefully pours the clear water into the basin. He takes the towel and wraps it around his waist, picks up the basin, and walks over to his disciples. The room has fallen silent. Not a sound is heard. A couple clear their throats as if wanting to say something but there are no words to say.

Jesus starts with Judas and washes his feet first. Then to the next. With the disciples reclining no one has to move. Jesus just goes to each pair of feet and begins to gently sprinkle with cool water and then dries each foot with the towel wrapped around his waist. No one moves. No one speaks until Jesus comes to Peter. Peter with a timid voice so uncharacteristic of Peter asks, “You aren’t going to wash my feet are you?” “Yes,” Jesus answers. “You will understand later what I am doing.” With a bit more boldness but with the reverence of one who recognizes that leaders don’t serve followers Peter says, “I can’t let you wash my feet.” Jesus’s response is quick and to the point. Looking deeply into Peter’s eyes Jesus says, “If you don’t let me wash your feet then you aren’t really mine.” And Peter with a voice filled with conviction but with eyes filled with tears says, “Wash then my feet which have walked with you, my head which thinks only of you, and my hands which will do whatever you wish.” Jesus says, “That isn’t necessary. I just need to clean the part that is dirty.” And Jesus washes Peter’s feet.

I suspect the room fell silent again. What do you say when your leader has done something that only slaves and the lowly do? Jesus takes his place back at the table. The room is silent. Now he teaches them an important lesson. “I am your teacher and your master. You speak rightly of me,” Jesus says. “You treat each other the way I have treated you.” The point is clear. Serving each other is the way of my follower. Jesus’s followers do not argue about who is first and who deserves to be recognized. Jesus’s followers find ways to serve. Jesus’s followers do not care about recognition, position, or applause. What matters is serving. We fight too often for prominence. Imagine what would happen if we worked as hard to serve as we do to be on top.

But there is a second point to this episode that is overlooked. While Jesus certainly wants the disciples to focus on the element of humble service, in the conversation he has with Peter a second point is being made. As is so typical of John’s gospel, words have double meanings. Words such as life, light, and bread are used to give two meanings—one physical and the other spiritual. Washing feet was a sign of hospitality. Jesus though takes this common custom and gives it a spiritual meaning—those whose feet he washes belong to him. As Jesus is washing feet he is giving a deeper meaning. Beyond humble service there is a connection between him and his disciples. There is a spiritual cleansing that is taking place.

This is what Peter discovers. His attempts to stop Jesus result in Jesus making the hidden known. To be with Jesus a cleansing must take place. This is not a baptism text, but it is a text which demonstrates that Jesus is the one who does the cleansing. Peter doesn’t wash his own feet—Jesus washes them. But it isn’t a stretch to compare what Jesus did in that upper room with the cleansing that still needs to take place today. Jesus is the one who cleanses us from sin. We don’t baptize ourselves but we allow ourselves to be baptized. Have you been washed?

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