You also ought to wash one another's feet.

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer 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.

I remember reading a passage in the book Ben Israel: Odyssey Of A Modern Jew where the author, Art Katz, was picked up on a rainy day as he hitchhiked in Greece. The man invited Art into his car and listened to him pour out his heart. Art was an atheist disillusioned by life and in search of something different. When he ran out of words the man replied saying:
"You know, Art, what the world needs?
-- those who are willing to wash one another's feet."
Art replied that he had never heard anything more beautiful than that. I so agree with Art about the beautiful simplicity of this act. Yet if we focus in on the actual act, as some folks do, we will miss the greater message of this passage. In the same way that Christ served the disciples so also should we serve each other. It is a simple and beautiful message.

Lord please show me the nasty and dirty feet that needs to be washed today.

6 comments:

  1. WandaFriday, September 16, 2011 9:12:00 AM

    Oh Lord, that is my sincere prayer too.

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  2. Mike aka MonolithTMATuesday, September 20, 2011 2:47:00 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mike aka MonolithTMATuesday, September 20, 2011 2:48:00 PM

    Not sure if you are familiar with this song, but it fits perfectly with this post:

    Michael Card - The Basin and the Towel

    ReplyDelete
  4. kc bobTuesday, September 20, 2011 3:26:00 PM

    Very pretty song Mike. Thanks for sharing the link!

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  5. Mike aka MonolithTMATuesday, September 20, 2011 3:31:00 PM

    You are quite welcome. This message comes back to me often, and it saddens me when some miss the fact that Jesus was a servant and those who follow him should be too.

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  6. kc bobTuesday, September 20, 2011 4:32:00 PM

    Saddens me too Mike.

    ReplyDelete

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