Day 31 - Friday, March 31
Christ Washes the Disciples Feet
Scripture: John 13:2-5 & 12-14
During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 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.

Poetry:
"The Feet of Judas" 
by George Marion McClellan 
CHRIST washed the feet of Judas!
The dark and evil passions of his soul,
His secret plot, and sordidness complete,
His hate, his purposing, Christ knew the whole,
And still in love he stooped and washed his feet.

Christ washed the feet of Judas!
Yet all his lurking sin was bare to him,
His bargain with the priest, and more than this,
In Olivet, beneath the moonlight dim,
Aforehand knew and felt his treacherous kiss.

Christ washed the feet of Judas!
And so ineffable his love ‘twas meet,
That pity fill his great forgiving heart,
And tenderly to wash the traitor’s feet,
Who in his Lord had basely sold his part.

Christ washed the feet of Judas!
And thus a girded servant, self-abased,
Taught that no wrong this side the gate of heaven
Was ever too great to wholly be effaced,
And though unasked, in spirit be forgiven.

And so if we have ever felt the wrong
Of trampled rights, of caste, it matters not,
What e’er the soul has felt or suffered long,
Oh, heart! This one thing should not be forgot:
Christ washed the feet of Judas.

PICK UP THE BASIN AND TOWEL
The evening began with an argument.  Two men walking with Jesus through the dusty streets of Jerusalem are arguing about which one of them will be first in the Kingdom.  I often wonder what started it.  Were they trying to impress each other, the rest of the disciples, or just remind Jesus of how special they were?  How heated did it get?  To what extent did the other disciples get involved?  What must it have sounded and looked like to the people they passed in the street who knew them?  What was Jesus thinking as He listened?

As I read Scripture, I am often struck by what I don’t get told as much as by what I am told.  This is one of those stories.  But if I really stop and contemplate that thought, I begin to see that maybe it is because God wants me to think about something bigger and more important than who started an argument and how intense it got.  He wants me to learn something deeper and more lasting.  He wants me to look at what is most important to Him and not get caught up in judging two disciples for being self-centered and arrogant.

The argument continues as the group heads upstairs to the room that has been prepared for them.  Jesus has taken the time to make sure that they have a place to eat the Passover dinner.  But they don’t even see that.  They are all too consumed with themselves.

As they argue and bicker about something that does not matter, especially in light of what is to come, they walk right past the basin and towel that are prepared and waiting for them.  Evidently, there was no servant to do the chore of washing their feet.  Jesus had assured them that these were the things they needed, but there was no physical person to serve them.  I can just picture it.   A group of grown men arguing and complaining as they do what their mothers told them never to do.  They stomp into the room and recline at the table with filthy, dusty feet.

Then Jesus does what not one of them is willing to do.  He picks up the basin and towel and quietly begins the task of washing their dirty extremities.  Imagine the silence that must have descended as he knelt before each disciple and gently washed and dried their feet.  

I never read this story without thinking that I would have responded so very differently.  Then it hits me that Jesus was doing something so much bigger in that moment than washing the dirty feet of a bunch of attitudinal disciples.  He was modeling for them. He was modeling for me.  He was telling me that this is what he wants me to do as I walk this life of faith with Him.

Sometimes it might mean that I literally pick up a basin and towel.  Or maybe it might be in how I help a person in need; mentor a student who is not that likable; or give a gentle answer to someone who is pushing every button I have.  What I do know is that the choice is not optional if I want to follow Jesus – and that it is often a very difficult choice to make.  I try and I often fail.  That’s when I hear the enemy whispering that no one really does these things and that I should not even try because I will fail every time.

I am often too willing to give up.  But then, God gently refocuses my attention by bringing before me examples of what He is calling me to do.  Most recently, it was this video of the Pope washing the feet of people from every walk and stage of life.  As I watched the photos of him gently washing, drying, and kissing their feet I was moved to tears, but not because of what he was doing.  Given his character, life and choices I would expect nothing less.

What still makes me cry as I watch today’s video again and again, is the look on the face of each person.  It’s the look of someone who has experienced a moment of grace, seen the love of Jesus as it shines through the eyes of Pope Francis, and felt God’s touch as human hands perform a simple act of service.

What inspires me is the dawning of hope that I see in each person’s eyes as they look at the man in the white robe bending down to kiss their feet.  What I pray as I watch is that I will be willing to see past my own selfish needs, put away my fear, and either literally or metaphorically pick up the basin and towel.

PRAYER
Father, it is so hard to see with your eyes.  It is so easy to walk past the basin and towel and tell ourselves that it is someone else’s responsibility; not within our gifting; or that we are afraid of being rejected or ridiculed. Forgive us for that and help us to live our lives looking with your eyes.  Help us to have the courage to see, and then give us the strength to be obedient to your call, pick up the basin and towel and serve.
Amen.

Lori Shanebeck
Executive Producer/Director,
Biola Youth Theatre