Laughing, giggling, with ticklish feet, each Easter season my daughters and I take turns washing each other’s feet, just like Jesus did for his disciples. Okay, not exactly like the disciples; we use our bathtub for warm water, an exfoliating foot scrub, fluffy bath towels, and our feet are relatively clean from being in socks and shoes all day. I imagine the disciples had some pretty dirty feet from walking around in sandals or bare feet on dusty roads. Would Jesus have drawn the water from a well, or had someone already prepared it?
John 13:12-17
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples, it was more than a physical act; it was an example of a lifestyle. My daughters like to compete for attention, the recognition of being the best; they like to have the most and be first. As we talk about Jesus, who left heaven to come to an imperfect earth with selfish people and dirty feet, He came to serve even though He is the one who should be served. Jesus, who had everything, chose to live with less than he was entitled to for the benefit of others. Washing feet isn't just doing something nice for another person; it is putting our rights aside for what is best for someone else.
We are revisiting the washing feet lifestyle: putting the needs of others above our own, giving up our rights to give to others, and doing the less desirable jobs. Here is the list my girls came up with:
-clean bathrooms
-be a good listener even though I don’t want to
-tidy up the basement
-vacuuming, sweeping
-donate toys, clothes
-when someone is mean to me, be nice rather than respond
-mail card to lady who had surgery
Take time to thank God for what you have, and then ask him to show you someone who is in need and how you can “wash their feet.”