Daily Devotion – March 31, 2021 – Dr. Pat Taylor Ellison
John 13:3-17, 31b-35
13:3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God,
13:4 got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself.
13:5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.
13:6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
13:7 Jesus answered, “You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
13:8 Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.”
13:9 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”
13:10 Jesus said to him, “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you.”
13:11 For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, “Not all of you are clean.”
13:12 After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?
13:13 You call me Teacher and Lord–and you are right, for that is what I am.
13:14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
13:15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
13:16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.
13:17 If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
Foot washing. It is a slightly uncommon act in the Lutheran Church, especially today, but in Amish and most Mennonite traditions, foot washing is a ceremony done at their twice yearly communion service. It is a reminder of humble service, commanded by Christ of his disciples. Clergy wash other clergy’s feet in a ritual manner, and then the laity continue the ceremony, men washing other men’s feet, women washing other women’s feet. The ceremony of foot washing and the rite of Holy Communion belong together, these Christians believe, since Jesus instituted both on Maundy Thursday.
The result of this ritual in these congregations is an enhanced closeness, a very special connection among the community. Humbly washing another’s feet puts each person in service of another. No one is better than any other. There is no shame, nor is there haughtiness, in this ritual.
What can we learn from this thing Jesus did for his disciples, this thing some Christians regularly do for one another? How might it change our perspective to wash one another’s feet, or even to wash the feet of a stranger? Perhaps it is hard for us who live in northern climates, who don’t go sockless much of the year. But this practice of deep care for the other is a loving and tender one. I’m not sure we have the equivalent anywhere in our set of congregational or communal habits.
Deep care, one of another. How do you do this for people in your circle? How do you do it with strangers? How might you?
Gracious God, Thank you for loving us. Thank you for giving us the chance to care deeply for one another, with no regard as to status or deservedness, and with no shame.  Help us to find ways to being in service to one another in ways that would please you.   Amen.
