"Pedicured in Humility"

I reckon, while we’re talking feet, the discussion would not be complete without a look at John 13.  After all, if you were to ask any believer what passage about feet stands out the most in their minds regarding this topic, they would take you directly to the chapter where Jesus washes the feet of his disciples.  Washing and massaging other people’s feet has changed my whole perspective about this passage.  Serving another in this way is a wonderful gift of sacrifice.  It’s a reminder that no one is greater than another. 

Ah, I get ahead of myself.  Please read John 13:5-20.  Here’s a link, just in case your bible isn’t handy: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2013:5-20&version=NASB#fen-NLT-26606a

Jesus gets up from the table, on the night before he would be crucified, and does what nobody else even thought to do: wash feet.  That was the slave’s job, but no servant had been present.  Well, technically speaking, you could purchase a good slave for about 30 pieces of silver.  Hmmm…ring a bell?  Jesus, the servant, gets up, pours water in a basin, and proceeds to wash the filthy feet of the men who would soon betray, reject, and abandon him; and he knew it. 

In the middle of the passage, John records a conversation Jesus has with Peter.  It’s an important conversation.  I’ll come back to it.  When he ends the foot washing ceremony, Jesus gives the lesson (his object lessons lasted to the final minute).  “You call me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am.  If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you (13:13-15).”  The simple lesson: all that Jesus did, we are to do.  However, I think this is more than just about serving others, and learning humility.  This is a valuable lesson to be sure.  It’s just half the teaching.

So, let’s back up to Jesus discussion with Peter.  Peter didn’t want his feet washed.  They are, as previously mentioned, filthy.  That’s the point.  Often our feet are very reflective of our hearts.  That’s why Jesus says to Peter, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet. But is completely clean…”  He also tells him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you shall understand later…”  They got it when it came to his servant-hood and humility.  What the disciples didn’t totally get was the “clean part.”  Soon, they would be bathed and washed in the blood of the sacrificial, Passover Lamb.  But every so often, their sinful feet  (hearts) would have to be washed - again.  Like Peter, we may not often see our filthiness, until we slip our shoes out of our sandals, and someone else examines the “souls”…  Sometimes, we need each other to gently, filled with grace and truth, help us recognize the sin, so we can be washed clean once more. 

This is simply a personal reflection on this passage.  Yet, I believe the truth of it is two-fold.  Spiritual pedicures involve 1) servant-hood and humility, but they also involve, 2) a willingness to help each other with our spiritual blinding to our own sinfulness.  If #1 is being applied, #2 will be done without judgment or criticism. 

Paul seemed to grasp this truth:

Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentles; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.  Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.  For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  But let each one examine his own work (Galatians 6:1-4a).

Spiritual pedicures:

A readiness to go…no matter the circumstances.

An obedience in following.

A humble, serving spirit.

A willingness to love one another in grace & truth, fulfilling the law of Christ, through gentle correction (we help each other with our outward display of holiness).  Not a practice most of us are either willing to do, nor willing to receive (me, either).

Beautiful feet!