Hello
Today’s Holy Nougat caught me off guard. Brace yourself, even without the reflection, it’s heavy chewing!
“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14 ASV
It was the yuckiest task. But someone had to do it. For all intents and purposes, it was likeliest saved for the lowliest servant (or slave). The streets were populated with human and animal traffic, roadways could get a little dirty (or even smelly); so being tasked with foot washing would perhaps be seen as a demotion, not a promotion! Until our rabbi turned it all around.
He set the tone by washing – not one, but up to – 12 of those pedestrian feet. [No wonder Peter tried to stop him from undertaking the task!] I suspect therefore that foot washing epitomized extension of grace, forgiveness even; and was definitely an act of Love and humility. It certainly invited one’s subordinates to consider that one was willing to do any task.
As Christ-followers; are we washing each other’s feet? Extending grace, forgiveness, patience, humility and Love to each other? Especially when the other enters our presence with cracked, mud-caked and smelly ‘feet’ – literally, figuratively and spiritually? Even when it’s embarrassing and/or belittling? Without murmur and complaint or judgement? Regardless of degree of friendship?
(~ Uhm … not today Lord (gulp); can we get a rain check?
* For Me, just as I have done for you?)
Will we wash each other’s feet
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
