Today’s Daily Bread ~ Feet

John 13:1a, 4-5 – He now showed the disciples the full extent of His love.  So He got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin.  Then He began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel He had around Him.

In all of my years as a Christian, I had never attended a Maundy Thursday church service until this this year.  The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word mandatum, which is the first word in the Latin translation of “A new commandment I give unto you; that you love one another as I have loved you.”  In the 13^th chapter of the Gospel of John, He demonstrates His love by washing His disciples’ feet.

At my church, Trietsch Memorial United Methodist in Flower Mound, there are three stations that you may visit after taking communion on Maundy Thursday; candle-lighting, anointing with oil, and foot washing.  And I have to confess to you that the reason I have never attended a past service is the foot washing. 

I just don’t like feet, and in particular, mine.  I’ve been a runner for roughly 20 years, and most long-distance runners simply don’t have pretty toes.  Anytime I’ve ever had a pedicure I’ve had to fight the urge to apologize to the manicurist and offer to do it myself.  You’re more likely to see me in my fuzzy boots than my flip flops if I’m lounging around the house, even in the heat of the summer.

Our praise band was leading worship at the service.  I arrived at the rehearsal right on time, music in hand.  I gave my pastor a cheerful wave, then turned around for a sound check.  A moment later, I felt a tap on my shoulder.  I turned around, and he hit me with it.  “Are you working a station after communion?” asked Dr. John Allen.  “No, I don’t think so,” I replied.  “Great,” he said.  “We need you over at foot washing.”

First of all, you need to know that I have a wonderful relationship with Dr. Allen.  He’s a genuinely caring man equipped with a quick wit and a sharp sense of humor.  Mike and I both hold him in high regard.  And I would like to tell you that I instantly agreed, rejoicing at the chance to serve as Jesus did.  But my reply was a little closer to this: “I know you didn’t just ask me to touch peoples’ feet!”  He looked at me, one brow raised, so I sweetly smiled and said, “Of course I will.”  “You know,” he said, “this just might be something that God wants you to do.”

He was right.

Something had been off with me, something that I couldn’t put my finger on.  I was praying as I always did.  Writing as I always have.  Reading the Bible diligently, and going to church.  But somehow, I felt distant from God.  It’s difficult to explain.  I could sense His Presence.  I knew He loved me as much as ever.  But there was a disconnect.  I didn’t feel close to Him, and I couldn’t pinpoint why.

All through the Maundy Thursday service I felt the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  My pastor had offered me a chance to serve, and I’d sneered.  I’d acted like I was above it.  By the end of the sermon, I wanted to sink down into the pew and stay there.

Instead, I walked over the foot washing station.  I took a towel, knelt down and waited.  After a minute or two, a woman that I’d known for a few years walked over to me.  I smiled at her as I poured water over her pretty, pedicured feet and wiped them dry.  When I was finished, she asked me if she could wash mine.   “Oh, I don’t think…” I started, and then changed my mind.  “Okay.”

I can’t remember the last time I’d felt so humbled, so keenly aware of God’s grace and how undeserving I was.  Then she took my hands and prayed over me.  Tears welled in my eyes and spilled down my cheeks.  I’m sorry, I silently prayed.  Please forgive me for being so close-minded.

When I got up there was a line of people waiting at my station.  With my shoes still off, I knelt down and beckoned the next person.  It was a woman I’d never seen before.  She smiled at me as she sat down.  I asked her if I could pray for her before we started, and she nodded “yes.”  As I prayed, her shoulders started to shake with sobs.  I prayed God’s love and healing over her.  I asked the Holy Spirit to infiltrate her very soul, and raise her up as a beacon of His light.  I asked that He might wrap His Presence around her in comfort, and that she might feel the extent of His love.

I can’t remember the last time I felt so close to God.

As the last few people exited the sanctuary, I walked over to another station, where Pastor Allen was anointing with oil.  With tears streaming down my face, I thanked him for asking me to wash feet.  I explained to him that, with all of my reading and research, I’d been learning more about God than ever before.  But it had been too long since I’d experienced Him.

You can read a thousand books on planes.  You can sit in coach, first class, or right next to the pilot.  But until you take that throttle in your hands and fly the thing, you’re not a pilot.  You’re simply a passenger.

John 13:14-15 – And since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet.  I have given you an example to follow.  Do as I have done to you.

You read the Bible cover to cover.  You can attend church every Sunday and have a doctorate from the best seminary in the world, but until you take up the towel and serve, you are not following Christ.  What are you doing to further His Kingdom?  What are you saying to draw others to Him?  How are you shining His light? 

A successful person strives to leave a mark.  A truly great person strives to leave His mark – the mark of the cross.

Dear Heavenly Father, we know of You, but it’s not enough.  We want to know You intimately, through experience.  We want to hear Your voice and see Your glory.  We want to marvel at the work of Your hands, and we want to give You ours to use.  Please give us hearts that delight in serving You and Your people.  Please help us to see others as You see them.  Please help us to love others as You love them.  God, we ask that Your glory would be the only glory we ever seek.  When we need humbling, humble us.  When we need sifting, sift us.  When we need refining, refine us.  We ask that You would pull us closer to You.  If there is something in the way, show us what it is, and give us the strength to address it and deal with it.  Hear our prayers, Father.  Keep the work of the cross ever before us.  We thank You for Your Son, and we thank You that He came so that we might walk in victory over this world.  We love You so much.  We pray these things in the name above all names – Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Amen.