Washing the Foot that Kicks You

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Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet (John 13:14, NIV).

Jesus washed Judas’ feet.

He knew Judas was going to betray him. But Jesus still washes Judas’ feet. He even gives him opportunity to do it by discreetly dismissing him from dinner.

If ever there was a picture given to us to illustrate the answer to the question, “What does loving your enemy look like?” this is it. Jesus showed the same love to the one person in the room who would trade Jesus’ love and friendship for some silver and political points with the Pharisees.

To be fair, none of the disciples were going to return the servant-like love and devotion Jesus showed He has for them by washing their feet. Judas was the worst, but all of them failed Jesus that night. All of them would run and scatter despite their boasts of loyalty and commitment. Even Peter, who insisted that even if all the others fell away when Jesus was in trouble he would not, even he ends up betraying Jesus denying his relationship with Him—not once, not twice, but three times.

Jesus knew his friends would not be faithful.

He knew Judas would led the Pharisees to Him so that they could murder Him.

Jesus washed their feet.

Would that we gave that measure of meekness and mercy, that grade of grace and humility to people despite of (or in spite of) their imperfections, as well as to those whom we are pretty sure will never give love back to us at all.

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  3. Foot washing has always been a humbling yet loving act for me. The one thing I have not argued with God is when He has asked me to wash another’s feet. Both the stories in the Bible, Mary washing the feet of Jesus, and Jesus washing the feet of His disciples have always had great meaning to me.

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      1. A few years back I had to keep a jug of water, towel and olive oil in my car so while I was out God would direct me to someone to wash there feet. I knew the person would think I was odd but they did not tell me no when I asked them if I could and they allowed me to wash their feet.

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          1. To be honest I was a nervous wreck walking up to a person and telling them that God wanted me to wash their feet, I was afraid they were going to lock me up 😀 and call me insane but it wasn’t the first time He asked me to do something I felt odd about and I am sure that it is not the last.

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