Loading...I have found myself watching far too many reels on Facebook lately. I get myself wrapped up in the ones that are mini films that are produced to help people see what “good” can look like in the world.
In many, there is a person who looks to be homeless who enters a space where they are clearly not welcome. A fancy restaurant, a boutique hair salon or store, even in the first-class section of an airplane.
What unfolds is one individual who wants to throw the “smelly” person out of the place of business or force them into a different part of the plane. There are always witnesses to this bad behavior, who simply observe, making faces reflecting their agreement or their shock at the behavior they are witnessing.
And there is always someone who shows respect, recognizing the dignity of the homeless person. Maybe you have seen some of these?
It seems like in each one of these short films the person who appears to be homeless is really someone who is “testing” candidates for a job. They want to hire someone who is willing to care for those most in need. They want to work with someone with a “whole package,” and not just base the hire on a resume, or online interview.
And guess who always wins? The kind, compassionate person who is not afraid to show love, often because someone, at some point in their life, showed them love by bucking the social systems. They do not do it for reward or glory. They do it because they believe it is the right thing to do.
By providing food, water, a haircut, or a coat, we see that through the physical affirmation of the dignity of the supposed marginalized person in these stories, compassion wins, kindness wins, mercy wins, love wins.
Tonight, we heard the story of how Jesus, the Son of God, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and washed the feet of his disciples. It wasn’t a test to see if the disciples were worthy of the job—they already were, but it was a way that he could show that in everything, he was a servant.
Jesus was not afraid to touch the untouchable, or eat with the unlovable, or speak with the unseen, or on this night, he was not afraid to wash the feet of those he loved, including the one who would later that evening betray his location to the authorities. Even in his divinity, Jesus served.
When he is done washing and drying every heel, toe, and every ticklish instep, Jesus explains that what he just did was what he expects them to do for each other. He shows them that none of them is greater than the other. Each is the other’s servant. Each is worthy of the other’s kindness, compassion, and love.
What wondrous love is this? The social structures of the world were being turned upside down for so many of the people Jesus met, and on this night, they were being upended for those who walked with Jesus. They became the recipients of God’s tangible, amazing grace. Even Judas.
But Judas leaves in the verses between 17 and 31. Satan enters him when he eats the bread dipped in the dish, and the plan to betray Jesus, just hours from that moment, is in motion.
What Judas misses might be the most important thing Jesus could have said to these followers. He tells them he is leaving them, that they cannot follow him any longer. But more to the point, he gives the new commandment to love one another as Jesus had loved them. That love for one another would show the world to whom they belonged.
The next three chapters of this Gospel are Jesus telling the disciples what it will mean for them to continue the work he began. He says, “Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” (14:12)
He tells them that though he will no longer be with them, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, will remain with them.
He speaks of abiding with him, of following the commandments, of joy, of love, love, love.
Then, in chapter 17, Jesus prays for all those who have been following him, asking God to “Sanctify them in the truth.” (17:17a) And. And! He prays for those who will come years later. He prays for those who will follow him, saying “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they all may be one.” (17:20)
I love that. And I wish we spent time focusing on these few chapters to understand that tonight isn’t just about washing feet, it is about knowing that the work of love as taught by Jesus does not have an end date. There is no expiration on this love as long as we continue to follow Jesus’s examples. As long as we are willing to be servants of God with willing hearts and lives that reflect the light of Christ.
Jesus could have spent this time away from these men and women on this last night of his life. But instead, he, on this night, spends quality time with them. He will call them friends for the first time.
They have served him, followed him, fed him, cared for him, and on this night, he takes a basin of water and shows them his appreciation, his love for them. He gently washes each of them, with, I imagine, prayers that focus on the gifts he sees in them, prayers that express thanksgiving, and prayers that request safety.
We will now do as he taught us to do. We will serve one another as we, together, continue to follow Jesus. We will care for one another, gently washing one another’s feet, praying to God, giving thanks for the gifts we see, praying for the known and unknown needs, and expressing love for one another as Jesus showed his love to all he encountered.
On this night, in this way, we will live into Jesus’s commandment to love one another. Because when we show love to one another, everyone will know we are Jesus’s disciples. Amen.
