Session 5: Foot Washing (Hand Towel and Washcloth)
The first time I ever attended a service that had a foot washing component in it I felt exactly like Peter. I was mortified that this leader who I admired, followed and respected was going to wash my feet. I was going to have to take off my sweaty shoes and socks and let this person kneel before me with my feet inches from their face.
I was having a full panic attack thinking about everything it entailed. Were my toenails too long? Were my nails painted? Did I have toe jam between my toes from my socks? Did my feet stink? Were they calloused, dry and rough? I had been yelled at by a doctor for letting my feet get too dry and calloused in the past, and they were medical professionals, this was my mentor, someone whose opinion and ideas I valued. Would they remember me and ever look at me in the same way again? Or would they forever remember me as crusty feet?
As it came closer to my turn the anxiety just continued to rise in me. And finally, I had no choice but to turn to this person and the moment of decision. She whispered to me, something I had seen her do to the others. “I would like to wash your feet, but if you do not feel comfortable, I will wash your hands.” Well, so many thoughts went through my head in a matter of seconds and before any of them could become a coherent thought, I whispered, you may wash my feet. She smiled as I removed my shoes and socks.
As she began, I thought about Peter and his struggle. His feet were likely way grosser than mine, walking around in all that sand and dust in sandals, and he had Jesus in front of him. Aside from feeling relief at not being him, I also felt strangely moved and humbled. Why should this person who has poured so much spiritual vitality into my soul be knelt before me in a posture of submission? It was uncomfortable but not because of my feet, because of my feelings of unworthiness in the light of being valued by someone I valued deeply. I was glad I said, “You may wash my feet”, because Jesus was right, I may not have understood what was happening in the moment but later I understood.
Scripture
It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. 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. J
John 13:1-17 [NIV]
Discussion Questions
1. Imagine being one of the disciples sitting at the table and suddenly Jesus takes off his outer clothing, wraps a towel around his waist and kneels in front of you to wash your feet. What is your first reaction or response?
2. Do you think it’s easier to have your feet washed or do the washing? Why?
3. How do you suppose Peter let go of his pride in order to let Jesus wash his feet? What pride do we need to let go of to serve and be served?
4. Jesus said that they would not understand what he was doing in the moment but later they would. What was it they understood later?
5. Why is it so important that one of Jesus last interactions before the cross was an act of service and humility? What does this demonstrate for us and how should we live in response to knowing Jesus deemed this important and necessary to do in his final hours?
6. The act of foot washing is very holy but naturally we cannot go around literally washing feet all the time, so how do we wash feet metaphorically? In what ways could and should we model Jesus’ servant heart?
Foot washing is awkward when we overthink it, but since that night that I experienced my first foot washing service, I have done a few of them myself. I can tell you that to this day, I do not remember anything about anyone’s feet, but I do remember the holiness of the moment and simple beauty of this act of service. To finish tonight, we are going to have some quiet reflection. There are various places, and you can choose to do what the Holy Spirit places in your heart. You can come and have your feet washed, you can just go to the table and think about the water and the pitcher and what that night was like. You can stay in your seat and journal, color or simply pray. This is a time for your personal reflection. After a period of time, we will close in prayer. Next week we will gather once more to put our kits together to be delivered to Midwest Mission in Jefferson.
Closing prayer
Servant Jesus, who humbled yourself to wash our feet, to serve us in ways beyond our comprehension. We will never fully understand the price you paid for us in order to restore our personal dignity and make our hearts worthy to stand before our Creator. We thank you for showing us what true service means and looks like. We are forever grateful for the example of humility that you have set, and we pray that our hearts will take a hold of that and respond in service to you and to others. That we may truly be the body of Christ redeemed by his blood. Amen.
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