October 11, 2022

John 13: 4, 5, 21 (NIV)

He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. . . After this . . . Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”

Human nature easily deceives itself into thinking it has gotten away with something.*

When my husband and I were working with the children’s ministry at our church, we conducted a foot-washing ceremony with them. Because it had no cultural connotations for us (or them), it wasn’t as symbolic an experience as it should have been. While some of the kids had smelly feet and some had slightly dirty feet, and some of the children were less likable than others, it was nothing like the gesture made by Jesus, who not only lowered himself to the status of the least servant to wash some very dusty feet, but who treated his betrayer with the same humility as he did everyone else.

Many times in my career in the elections office, I was compelled to assist city commissioner candidates whose entire campaign platform was to fire the city manager – my husband. Because my husband and I didn’t have the same last name, some of those candidates didn’t learn until later who I was married to, and were surprised to have been treated with the same courtesy as everyone else. I'm sure I didn't have a servant's heart for them – I was just doing my job – but I can relate to the human struggle Jesus must have had when Judas’ nasty feet were next.

You know, the fact is, we all have nasty feet like Judas. We may not have sold Jesus out for 30 pieces of silver – but sometimes we deny him for less. Because we can’t name the specific sin we are committing, it doesn’t feel like betrayal. We indulge in behavior that expresses our preference for worldly interests; that reveals that we place greater value on earthly things; that demonstrates that we prefer human approval over God’s.* And still, Jesus faithfully and humbly washes our feet.

If this causes you shame and regret, you can choose your next move. You can choose despair, such as Judas did; or you can choose repentance, forgiveness and renewed zeal for the kingdom like Peter did following his denial. Choose wisely.

The call to repent is a call to action.*