Feb 14 The Happy Foot Washer

Feb 14

The Happy Foot Washer

Joh 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Oh Dear, I just realized it is Valentines day, and I should be writing about husbands and wives loving one another.  Instead we are looking at Christ washing the disciple’s feet.  (Husbands, follow His example and wash your wife’s feet??) 

I heard of a pastor who was preaching through a book of the Bible verse by verse and when it came to the Christmas service he did not vary but preached on divorce!  True story. Now I know how that happens.

Enough chatter, let’s get to work. In our verse it says “If ye know these things…”  What things?  In verses 14-16 He has just explained to them that although He was Lord and Master of the group He had washed their feet.  It was an example for them to understand that if He could stoop to do the work of a slave they should also seek to serve others.  If they would learn that lesson they would be happy. 

What about foot washing? Why did they need to do it and why did the servants do it for them? In the several commentaries that sit on my shelf I was unable to  find a single one who mentioned what I think is the main reason they washed their feet before entering a home.  Have you ever driven along a country road where the Amish had a settlement?  How would you like to walk on those roads with open toed sandals?  (Yes I know there were no Amish during the time of Christ!) But there were camel caravans, donkeys, cows, dogs, and the refuse that was thrown into the streets. I think there was a lot more on those roads than the dust the commentators mentioned.  Anyway, foot washing  was a demeaning task. A good host had slaves wash the feet of guests.

But there was no slave in the room where they had supper. The room was well furnished and there was a towel, a basin, and some water. Everything they needed to wash their feet was there, except someone to do it.  Was this the Paschal meal, Passover, or some other meal? Did this account occur at the beginning, middle or after the meal?  Take your pick. Theologians cannot agree on any of this. We do know they were gathered for a meal. We also know that no one had offered to wash anyone's feet. 

Had the Apostles seen the water, the basin and the towel prepared for their use?  Did they wonder who was going to wash their feet?  Did anyone sit looking at the basin and towel and start to fidget a little, wondering why no one was going to be the foot washer.  Surely someone must take that part and wash our feet.  What is the hold up?  It really needs to be done. Or were they busy in conversation and did not notice?  Luke records that they were too busy to decide who would volunteer to be the foot washer.

Lu 22:24 And there was also a strife among them,

which of them should be accounted the greatest.

It was a common subject of discussion among them.  (Mt 20:26-27; Mr 10:43)  No wonder they did not get up and offer to be the foot washer.  If they were the greatest, someone less great should wash their feet. Finally any tension in the room was relieved as one of them got up.

Joh 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel,and girded himself.  5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Did anyone notice when Christ got up from the meal?  When do you think it dawned on them what Christ was doing?  When they realized the Master was about to wash their feet what kind of mental impact do you think that had on them? 

 He laid aside his garments for the work He was about to do. He would not do a servants work dressed as a Master but as a slave.  He tied the long linen cloth around himself so one end was handy to dry their feet.  He poured water into a basin where he would wash their feet with His hands. Imagine the one who can cleanse from sin and make the heart clean, was using His hands to wash away, not their sins, but whatever they had stepped in!  The room must have gone quiet. Talk of who was the greatest must have faded away as they became aware of what the Master was doing.

      Do I need to tell you what the lesson is for us in this passage? I didn't think so! I will just quietly slip away, leaving you some verses to think about.

 

1Pe 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the

mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith,

God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

1Co 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth

 take heed lest he fall.

 

Joh 13:17 If ye know these things,
happy are ye if ye do them.