Washing Feet: An Example of Service or Something More?

Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet by Ford Madox Brown 1852-6

So, during supper, fully aware that the Father had put everything into his power and that he had come from God and was returning to God, he rose from supper and took off his outer garments. He took a towel and tied around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. – John 13:2-5

Today, in 2024 A.D., we don’t give much thought to these few sentences. The impact of the activity of Jesus is lost on us because a) We wear shoes everywhere. Many of us even have “inside shoes” and “outside shoes”. b) The Church’s liturgy (as popularly practiced) often misses or lessens the importance of this event (pro tip: it’s not simply Jesus giving and example of serving others).

Contrary to what we see in the movies, the roads in the time of Jesus weren’t all covered in perfectly placed cobblestones or silky, fine dust. If rains fell, the road became knee deep mud. During perfectly dry days the roads and paths were still littered with animal droppings and human fluids of all types.

We can easily imagine that the disciples’ sandals and feet were exposed to these elements daily as they traveled with Jesus. Jesus too must have had to contend with the nastiness of the paths and roads of the day.

Remember, John the Baptist said, “…the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” This too gives us a clue as to the filthy nature of walking during the time of our Lord. We can easily imagine that John is referring to a situation in a home where the lowest servant had the unfortunate duty of removing and cleaning the sandal of his master while another servant, higher in rank, would wash the master’s feet. John the Baptist, the cousin of Jesus, the proclaimer of the Gospel even from the womb, the Martyr for Marriage, says he isn’t even worthy to take that lowest servant’s place!

With these images in our mind, we should see both how Christ humbled Himself before His apostles and why Peter was so offended by the gesture! Here the Lord of World who made the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and the dead rise to life washing the filth and grime from His disciples feet. Knowing Peter the Impetuous, I would expect nothing less than both of his reactions – “You will never wash my feet.” and later “Master, then not only my feet, but my hands and head as well.”

Christ’s lesson here for His disciples and us is that we should never place ourselves above others. We should always seek to serve one another. If God made man performed the dirtiest, most disgusting service out of love for His followers, how can we deny doing the same for our brothers and sisters made in His image and likeness.

Yet, the question remains, is this simply Jesus giving us an example of humility? If so, why now, hours before His cruel treatment and death? Why not at the house of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus? Mary gave a segway with the precious Nard. Why not in the Temple for all to see saying, “go and do likewise“? There is more here than meets the eye.

Peter gives us a clue when he asks Jesus to wash his hands, feet, and head. The answer lies again in seeing Jesus as the new Moses. 

Much of the second half of the book of Exodus concerns the creation of the Tabernacle, all that is in it, and the priests who will serve there. Chapter after chapter explains the the size, shape, and make up of everything from the tent to the Ark and from the incense to the vestments. It is not until all is ready that we read:

• Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance of the tent of meeting, and there wash them with water. Exodus 40:12

• Bringing forward Aaron and his sons, Moses first washed them with water. Then he put the tunic on Aaron, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, placed the ephod on him, and girded him with the ephod’s embroidered belt, fastening the ephod on him with it. Leviticus 8:6-7

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