Thursday, April 17, 2014

Washing Feet, The Forgotten Day of Holy Week?

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During the Easter Season and Holy Week we remember Jesus and his ultimate sacrifice of love for all of us. Today is a day during Holy Week that I especially appreciate. It is a day many in the church seem to have forgotten about, Maunday Thursday. It is the day when Jesus took up the towel, lowered himself to the lowly role of servant by doing a job that the lowest of the low were required to do during that time, he washed the feet of the disciples. It amazes me at how many say they are followers of Jesus and have never washed the feet of another, whether it be literally or metaphorically, or beyond that, been willing to have their feet washed. Let me quote a little scripture here: 

John 13: 6 - 9 ~ 6 But when he came to Simon Peter, that disciple asked, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus answered, “You don’t really know what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “You will never wash my feet!” Peter replied.

“If I don’t wash you,” Jesus told him, “you don’t really belong to me.”

9 Peter said, “Lord, don’t wash just my feet. Wash my hands and my head.”

www.mosaicwichita.comThat passage has always impressed me, I played the part of Peter in the Play The Body and the Wheel and I recall this part vividly. But what also impresses me is the reality that Jesus didn't only wash the feet and offer service to Peter but he did this for all of the disciples, even Judas who he knew was going to betray him. 

I will tell you, I know it is hard to love those who you know don't love you, or may even intend to do you harm, but it doesn't change the example of Jesus. Neither does it change his comments in verses 12 - 17:

12 After Jesus had washed his disciples' feet and had put his outer garment back on, he sat down again. Then he said:

Do you understand what I have done? 13 You call me your teacher and Lord, and you should, because that is who I am. 14 And if your Lord and teacher has washed your feet, you should do the same for each other. 15 I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you. 16 I tell you for certain that servants are not greater than their master, and messengers are not greater than the one who sent them. 17 You know these things, and God will bless you, if you do them.

That all said, here is a good word for all of you today that call yourself a follower of Jesus, in both a metaphorical and in a literal way, go wash someone's feet and tell them why you are doing it. Tell them you are doing it because Jesus loves you, you in return, choose to love and serve them.  

The following is an inspiring video regarding the washing of feet, to watch it, just click on the video, if the video doesn't appear, click on the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfaEPWLmLzo



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