Hello, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray with Me”.

Has someone offered to wash your feet recently? Would you let them do it if they offered?

I was in a group with people who had difficult marriages, difficult jobs, difficult children, and a difficult faith life. At one meeting, we took towels and a dishpan of water, and washed each other’s feet. How moving to see couples step back from their disagreements, kneel in front of each other, and wash their feet.

That’s what Jesus did in John 13. 

John’s gospel contrasts dirty feet and the dirty job of washing them with Jesus’ eternal power and glory. Jesus knew he had come from God and was returning to God, that God had put everything under his power. So how did he use his power? 

He used it to wash his disciples’ feet, teaching them to serve others. But Jesus wasn’t the only one mentoring disciples. The devil showed up, prompting Judas to betray Jesus. Dirty devil, dirty plans, dirty feet. Lots of cleanup needed. 

Why didn’t Jesus delegate the footwashing? President Trump doesn’t wash the feet of his MAGA faithful. But Jesus waded right in with towels and water. He didn’t evict the devil. He didn’t confront Judas the betrayer. No, he just washed 24 dirty feet. 

Only Peter understood how inappropriate this was. “Thanks, but no thanks,” he said. “I respect who you are, Jesus, but it is not your job to wash my feet” (v 8).  

Jesus replied, “You need me to wash your feet. Let’s get on with it” (v 8). 

And then Jesus talked about other dirt in the room, saying, “One of you will betray me” (v 21). Judas accepted the footwashing and broke bread with Jesus, then he welcomed the devil into his life. John’s gospel says “Judas went out, and it was night” (v 30). A night of spiritual darkness, a night to betray Jesus. Judas’ feet were clean but he was getting them dirty again.  

Meanwhile Jesus said to Peter, “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (v. 38). Peter, with clean feet and a full stomach, would soon dirty himself with three denials. 

Let’s pray. 

Jesus, that was a long night for everyone. For Judas the betrayer, for Peter the denier, and for you who walked into betrayal and denial.  

You came from the father’s glory, you were returning to the father’s glory, and you accepted the cross as part your glory saying, “Soon I will be glorified” (v 31). 

Holy and powerful Jesus, wash our feet. Wash away the dirt of sin. Teach us to be faithful through the long dark nights of our lives. And bring us at last to your glory.

Amen.

I’m Daniel, on the channel “Pray with Me”.

YouTube channel: Pray with Me – YouTube.