Connections & Foot Washing

Oh, the Calcaneus is connected to the Talus and the Talus is connected to the Navicular and the Navicular is connected to a bunch of other bones that form the frame work for the foot.   Sing along! 

The foot really is an amazing thing, it can twist and bend, point and flex.  Stand on those feet all day long, walking and moving along the ground and they can gather the dust of the day.  Just imagine walking around on dusty roads all day, or perhaps muddy roads in sandals.  The dirt would creep into the crevices, staining in the skin and would be hard to wash out.  Just like the bones are connected in the foot, the dirt tries to connect to the skin.  At the end of the day, put those dirty tired feet into a warm pool of water.  The dirt slowly soaks off with a gentle movement of hand over foot. 

There is a gentle act of serving in washing someone’s feet.  It requires you to humble yourself, to take time, and remove the dirt.  But, what it does not always require are feet and water.  Washing may mean that there is an act of service that occurs, something that is done to care for another. 

There was a man who washed a fellow walker’s feet.  Jesus was the man, he bent over and washed Simon Peter’s feet.  Imagine the moment – a basin is picked up and water is poured in, the clay would have darkened with the touch of the water.  With a towel wrapped around his waist, Jesus approached Simon Peter.  The awkwardness and hope of the moment must have filled Simon Peter when he realized what was going on in the room. 

John 13: 6-11

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

“No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
      Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

Simon Peter wasn’t just dirty with the dirt of the day, but was about to betray Jesus as well.  Yet, here was the Savior washing the grime off of all of those interconnected foot parts! 

Keep reading John 13 and realize that the example was being set.  An example to serve each other. 

 I am leaving at the Great Banquet today and my feet are being washed.  I am so honored and hope that the woman who has washed my feet through the sponsorship and her family will be blessed many many times over.