Thoughts for the Day

During supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ Jesus answered, ‘You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ Peter said to him, ‘You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.’ Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!’ Jesus said to him, ‘One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.’ For he knew who was to betray him.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

We have been looking at pride and the need for humility before God, and now In Chapter 13 of John's Gospel we see a supreme lesson in humility from Jesus himself. He has been giving a farewell message to his disciples during his final Passover meal, at what what we now call the 'Last Supper'. He is completely sure in his own mind that his death is approaching fast, and that he is shortly to return to his Father. So this is his last few hours with the disciples who have been with him day and night for the last three years.

This poignant scene has so much to teach us, but not just about the introduction of the Communion Service (ie the 'Eucharist', or 'Mass'), but also about something else. This little incident of the Messiah washing his disciples' feet teaches us, as well as his disciples, about the importance of humility. The disciples must have been completely shocked when Jesus took a towel and a basin of water and began to wash their feet. After all it was the work of a slave or servant to wash the feet of guests when they arrived with dirty feet from travelling the dusty roads in sandals. Since there appears to be no servant present, and the disciples seem too proud to do this menial task, Jesus kneels to take over.

The Saviour of the world was not too proud to humble himself and serve his disciples. God's Son did not refuse to die for us. How might this reminder affect our life as we meet our family, our friends, our colleagues, or those in distress this day?

Lord Jesus,
You were not too proud
to do the work of a servant,
and in doing so
gave us an example
of how we should live our lives.
May we learn to put others
before ourselves
now and in the future.
Amen.