As God’s beloved children, we are protected and guided, hope-filled and cleansed, refreshed and filled with life. This week we reflect on ourselves and our hearts that Jesus says flow with rivers of living water. (John 7; see last week)
When we reflected on baptism, we said that those waters cleanse us. At Jesus’ last meal with his disciples, he literally cleansed them by washing their feet. Sandaled feet walking dusty roads definitely needed washing. So that’s what Jesus did for his friends. This was, of course, a servant’s work. However, it was also an extreme act of intimacy and love. Jesus certainly didn’t just “do the job;” rather, he intentionally and loving washed those dirty feet.
For sure, his disciples were surprised and even resistant to Jesus’ care. Peter initially refused Jesus. But another surprise (perhaps also met with resistance) awaited the disciples. When Jesus returned to the table, he charged THEM to serve one another lovingly and humbly. Followers of Jesus are those who serve with basins of water in imitation of their Teacher and Lord.