The Last Supper, More Than a Meal
“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.” —John 13:12-14 (NIV)
I had been looking forward to a deep tissue massage for weeks. Finally, there I was, lying face down, relaxing to the sounds of rain and thunder (Thanks, Alexa!) while my massage therapist worked on the knots in my shoulders. I began to contemplate what it would be like to work as a massage therapist. What a blessing it would be to provide stress relief for people. But my wandering came to an abrupt halt when I realized I’d have to rub peoples’ feet!
Then the Lord ushered my thoughts to the Last Supper.
Can you imagine how dirty, smelly, calloused, and blistered the feet of Jesus’s disciples must have been? (Walking miles in sandals was common in those days.) Jesus could have washed their faces, hands, or even their hair, but instead He knelt and washed their feet. This was a teachable moment, as He bent low to serve them.
Jesus’ humble act expressed love to these who were gathered around the table with Him and it also demonstrates the way people can encounter Him through us. When we “wash feet” by encouraging the discouraged, feeding and providing for the poor, or by simply sitting with the hurting, we embody the Good News with love and gentleness, serving people in their brokenness, and guiding them to Jesus.
And let’s not forget that Jesus washes us daily with His overflowing grace, mercy, and love. What a privilege it is to follow His perfect example and wash the feet of others.
Is there a younger person in whom you can begin to invest your time? Has God placed someone on your heart whom you can support emotionally, perhaps even financially? Can you think of someone who has lost a loved one and would benefit from an hour of your time this week, or a new mother experiencing the bittersweet exhaustion of life?
I pray that God will move our hearts this week to love, serve, and care for His people, just as Jesus did.
Lord, humble our hearts so that we may wash Your children’s feet well as we go about our days. We desire to be more like You!