“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you?'” – John 13:12
Can you even begin to imagine what it must have been like for Jesus to wash the dusty feet of His followers? Some who were enthusiastic but headstrong and foolish… Some who loved Him but struggled with pride and the desire for power… Some who heard Him for years but never really “got” His message… Some who’d seen Him do great things but remained timid and fearful… One who would soon betray Him to His death… Jesus knew all these things about the men whose feet He washed. He washed them anyway. Because of His love, His grace, His purpose. To teach and set an eternal example.
If Jesus is your Lord, then He has washed you as well. Not your feet but every aspect of your soul. With His lifeblood. Even though you may (still) be very similar to those disciples. Headstrong or foolish, prideful or seeking power, hearing but never really “getting”, fearful, or sinful and betraying Jesus once more. We aren’t different from the disciples. Not in this regard. And yet, Jesus washed us clean anyway as well. Because of His love, His grace, His purpose. To teach and set an eternal example.
Whose feet are you being called to wash (probably figuratively)? Whom will you serve, even though they may be headstrong or foolish, prideful or seeking power, listening but never really “getting” it, fearful, sinful, or even traitorous. What difficult person are you called to love and serve because Jesus has loved and served you? To whom will you show grace they don’t deserve because that’s what the word grace means? Where will you #FollowJesus?