Yesterday afternoon my honey was reflecting on Jesus’ washing His disciples feet (John 13). Almost immediately after a brief conversation about that theme, I had to wash my dog's feet off before letting her in the house, as our snow is melting and her feet were full of mud. I had recently mopped the floors and didn’t want my dog leaving muddy footprints all over the house.
As I washed her feet and wiped them dry with a towel, I had a thought that maybe there was more to Jesus washing the Disciples feet than I had previously considered. I have read many different commentary’s on this topic and most focus on the very clear examples of humility, servant leadership, and unconditional love. The new thought I had yesterday was that Jesus was actually cleaning their proclamation for the Gospel.
Going to Scripture, there are several references to our feet being related to the spreading of hate Good News or Gospel. The two that I immediately thought of are found in Isaiah and Ephesians.
Isaiah 52:7 NIV: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Ephesians 6:15 NIrV: “Wear on your feet what will prepare you to tell the good news of peace.”
Adding a third reference where Paul actually quotes the Isaiah verse found in Romans 10:14-15 NIV:
[14] “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? [15] And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Clearly the bringing the Gospel and feet are related in Scripture, and Jesus was obviously aware of the Isaiah verse. When I think about what He was demonstrating to them, in washing their feet, I recognize that He was dealing with spiritual pride. If we compare notes of the Last Supper Accounts, Luke’s gospel recounts how the disciples were having a discussion about who was the greatest (see Luke 22:24-30). John’s account of last supper doesn’t mention this conversation as having occurred at the Last Supper, but Jesus clearly addressed the mindset by washing their feet.
The following verses are Jesus speaking immediately after washing their feet. John 13:12-17 NIV:
[12] “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. [13] “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
As I was reflecting on these verses I realized they are quite similar to Jesus’ words after the disciples found out James and John had their mom trying to negotiate positions of authority for them. Here are the verses following that incident - Matthew 20:24-28 NIV:
[24] “When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. [25] Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. [26] Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [27] and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The themes of spiritual pride and servant leadership were linked by Jesus, and I believe this is what He was addressing in the washing of their feet during the Last Supper. I believe that His actions might have been more than just symbolic, but likely had a spiritual component where He was casting out the Spirit of spiritual pride while washing their feet. Often times symbolic gestures had spiritual import, and I think this might have been one of those times.
What has always amazed me is that we see so little spiritual pride evident in the early church, as described in Acts. There were incursions of the circumcision party and that does have its roots in spiritual pride, but overall we see very few personality conflicts, at least if they did happen they weren’t recorded in Scripture. I believe this might be because the Lord washed them and cleaned them of their spiritual pride!
In a related bit, recently I was reflecting on Acts 8, where Simon the sorcerer wanted to pay for the ability to baptize in the Holy Spirit (See Acts 8:9-24). He was one who self-promoted his greatness, and clearly he wanted to become greater, and in doing so to make money from his greatness. I was reflecting on these verses and how many in our modern Church seem to be doing exactly the same thing that SImon wanted to do. It seems to me that they are using the Gifts of God to become wealthy, to become great in the eyes of other believers. Oh Lord, help us!
I am praying that the Lord might wash His Church clean of any filth, any spiritual pride that is leaving muddy footprints all over, that are affecting the Gospel! Lord, I pray that You might wash clean the proclamation of the Gospel, that we might present to the world the unsullied and pure Gospel of Grace!
Help us Lord to learn to serve one another, to embrace humility and to represent Your ministry to those around us!
Amen and Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment