Wash one another’s feet
by Neil Bergmann
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‘Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet’ (John 13:14).
Read John 13:1–17,31–35
Throughout time, human societies have had hierarchies of importance and standing, as do many animal communities. Chickens have a pecking order, with the strongest at the top that has first rights to food, water and roosting spots. Our human social structures are more complex and more dependent on the social situation and vary greatly between societies.
When Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, he confounds them with his breaking of social convention. Usually, foot washing is the job of the lowliest servant. But Jesus is not claiming to be the lowliest servant. In fact, he calls himself ‘your Lord and Teacher’. Jesus is rightfully claiming to be the leader of the group and the one most worthy of respect. Jesus doesn’t just turn the hierarchy upside-down – he eliminates it. The disciples are asked to wash each other’s feet, indicating nobody is first or last; nobody is more or less important.
Jesus isn’t saying that our individual roles aren’t important. Our social structures, including our churches, give many different positions to many people. While our worldly experience suggests some roles and some people are more prestigious than others, Jesus’ message here is that those in positions of authority also require meekness, humility and servant-style leadership.
Jesus doesn’t teach this with a sermon. Instead, he does it with an action that upsets the usual societal conventions. He asks us to do the same. Rather than us just saying that everybody is important and valued, Jesus suggests we should show this by how we treat others, especially those the rest of society looks down on.
By nature, we tend to be vain, proud and self-important. The kingdom of heaven is different. Serving others, especially those that society sees as broken or failures, encourages us to spend more time in the kingdom of heaven and less time chasing the empty promises of social prestige.
Lord, wash away my ideas of pride, prestige and self-importance. Help me to recognise you in everybody I meet and serve. Amen.
Neil Bergmann is currently the chair of Lutheran Earth Care, Australia and New Zealand. After retiring, he recently completed a research Master of Theology at Flinders University, Adelaide, on eco-theology. He worships at Our Saviour Lutheran Church, Rochedale, Queensland.
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