We Should Wash Feet

 

Once again, I’ve painted a scene from the Gospels. I wanted to show the scene of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Why? Because it shows us how we are to be as Christians. You see, washing feet was a common practice in Jesus’s culture. Walking around in sandals all day made your feet real dirty, especially since there were no concrete sidewalks like we have today. And so, whenever a host had guests over to their home, they would provide water for them to wash their feet or have a servant to do so as well. Sometimes the host would wash their feet, but that was not as common, as typically the lowest servant would wash feet. After all it’s a stinky job.

Yet Jesus did it. The Son of God. The Messiah. God in the flesh washed feet.

“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:3-5, ESV)

Jesus knew who He was. Yet He did not see Himself above washing feet. No, He got up, laid aside his clothes, and washed His disciples’ feet. And did you hear Him grumble? Complain? Mention how stinky their feet were? NO! Jesus did so willingly. Humbly. No complaints to be heard while He served His disciples. Jesus was the Son of Man, the Messiah, God in the flesh. He had every right to demand the disciples to wash his feet. He’s the Creator of the universe after all. Yet He did it Himself. It's kind of a crazy idea, the Messiah washing feet. Peter sure thought so.

“When he had washed their feet and put on his out garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” (John 13:12-16, ESV).

Jesus says we are to follow his example. Of willingly humbling ourselves to the point of washing one another’s feet. Now, yes, we don’t customarily wash feet anymore, unless you’re one of those Christian couples who decides to have it at their wedding (love the symbolism but you won’t be seeing my dawgs on my wedding day). But obviously, this whole teaching is not literal. This is all about serving one another, even when it’s inconvenient. Think about it. Jesus had to remove his garment. He had to touch feet (which is nasty). Yet, he served them, no matter how gross, inconvenient, or even embarrassing it could have seemed.

So what does that look like for us in the 21^st century? It looks like helping when not asked. It looks like bringing food to a sick friend. It looks like cleaning up after an event, especially when you’re not paid to do so. It looks like canceling a night out to sit with a friend going through a tough time. Like actually praying for them when you say you’re going to. It looks like putting others’ needs before our own wants and desires. And even putting their wants before ours at times (depends on the situation obviously).

To wash other’s feet in 2025 means to serve them when its inconvenient with love and care. Jesus had no problem with washing feet. Neither should you.