“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet 
you also should wash one another’s feet.” 
John 13:14 

Some Biblically-minded young suitors in our modern day have incorporated foot washing into their marriage proposal. Maybe an image like this one comes to mind: This devoted young man wants to convey both his devotion and his determination to be a servant leader to his betrothed.  

First-century foot washing was much less glamorous. Feet in Bible times became crusty, cracked, and calloused, both from wearing strapped-on footwear (or none at all) and from walking on dusty, dirty paths. No sidewalks + no automated transportation + no closed-toed shoes = filthy feet. Perhaps this better depicts the feet Jesus washed in John 13: Foot washing in Bible times was a stinky, thankless job, often performed by a servant. It was intended to welcome, bless, and refresh a guest upon entering a home. In ancient cultures, this was a daily ritual, as well as an expression of hospitality, honor, and respect. 

When Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He was demonstrating genuine love—and leaving them with a high standard for loving one another.  

I Peter 1:22 challenges us to “love one another deeply.” In washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus modeled a love so deep it required a posture of humility. Releasing this kind of love not only blesses the wash-ee, but washes away the pride of the wash-er.  

Jesus was clear: “no servant is greater than his master.”

Is there a job that we might view as beneath us? Have we matured beyond nursery duty, scrubbing the bathroom, or kitchen clean-up? In the body of Christ, we should never ask or expect someone else to perform a task we would never stoop (literally or figuratively) to do ourselves.

We think of foot washing as an act of blessing for the recipient—and, of course, it was—but perhaps another Biblical truth aptly applies here, as well: It is more blessed to give than to receive. 

As we release this blessing—as we wash the proverbial feet of the “one anothers” in our world—we are Christ’s love, with skin on. We are choosing to follow the example of our Lord Jesus.  

When Jesus washed the feet of the disciples, he washed 24 feet—including those of Judas. Even as He was kneeling in humility, performing this lowliest of acts, He knew the heart of the one before Him. He knew Judas would betray Him. Do we withhold the blessing because we consider the recipient unworthy? 

Knowing the truth makes us accountable to live the truth. Jesus said, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:17)

Obedience brings blessing … every single stinkin’ time!  

Whose “feet” need some loving care in your world today? Is God is calling you to be the one to do the washing? Don’t miss the blessing He has for you. It comes with obedience.

How is He calling you to love with actions? 

Sometimes love is better served up with a bucket and a towel, than with kind words and good thoughts.  

Leave us a comment below with a modern-day “foot washing” action that could bless you or someone in your life. 

 

 

Join us in February for
Write The Word: One Another
as we delve into what the Bible tells us
about how to treat our fellow believers.

(Printable bookmarks & S.O.A.P. study pages available at the link above.)