When it was common place for travellers to be welcomed to each others homes – chance would be a fine thing today – it would be the hospitable thing to offer to wash the person’s feet. They would have been caked in mud or dirt from the treks along the roads. We notice that this idea of washing feet is quite common place in the Bible. From Genesis 18:4, Genesis 19:2, Judges 19:21, 1 Samuel 25:14 , Luke 7:44 and 1 Timothy 5:10. Now ministers have to keep their distance. Well a Bishop has to remain 2 mitres away…. Like last Easter, it is so different from normal.
Feast of the Passover
The lamb of the Passover was that meal to commemorate the lamb that was sacrificed on the night of the tenth plague against Egypt. This was now an annual occurrence – and still is within Jewish traditions. It reminds a pivotal time of new life, a fresh start. It was there before the Cross.
Luke’s account
Jesus and the disciples met up together to share in this meal, but we have two different interpretations. In Luke’s account (Luke 22:14-20) we have a meal and the breaking of the bread and the pouring of the wine. We have attributions of guilt clearly given with Peter declared as a denier, Thomas deemed to be a doubter and Judas a betrayer – a point I will argue against nearer to Easter.
John’s account
During the meal Jesus washes the feet of the disciples. Not at the start, but during – think of the impact this would create in their minds. We might ask whether this was the same meal – given that this was ‘before the festival of the Passover’ – a point which as been much debated. The washing of the feet only occurs here in John’s Gospel, not in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. There’s wording (John 13:34 in the Latin Vulgate version) which reads “I give you a new Commandment” which starts Mandatum, a mandate – where Maundy originates.
Jesus uses a metaphor of water, such as evident with Baptism. As highlighted above it also has practical advantages – it cleans! Jesus removes his outer garments – possibly where we get the priestly stole – and washes everyone’s feet – including Judas’.
Note that in John 13:2 it speaks of diabolis which is translated as “Devil’ where slanderer or accuser might be more relevant. [The word ‘diabolis’ is a conjunction of ‘to throw across’ and has become a loan translation from the Hebrew word satanos, where principally Jerome translated as Satan.] There is also the expression parados which has been translated into English as betray, when give or hand over is considered by scholars to be far more appropriate. In this one verse much emphasis has been given, especially in the Middle Ages. Mark 15:1 refers to the priests handing Jesus over to Pilate – did they betray him or hand him over also?
The passage speaks (John 13:16) of the servant not being greater than the master, an example of Jewish irony? It is still telling that the balance between the servant and master is used to create that argument for our action. Are we unwilling to undertake something that we willingly let others do?
I am reliably informed that this painting by Tintoretto does not show Judas as a prior painting has him leaving the Last Supper. Jesus and Peter are in animated conversation in a Venetian house, but not in a plush house of the period.
Peter is still very much concerned with status – how could Jesus wash his feet. That was the role of a servant, when all along Jesus has been referring to God’s Kin_dom, one where all are equal, all are worthy. I love the darkness of the room, the conversations around the table, that possible disbelief in what is happening?
Jesus concludes in our passage, here in John’s account, that we have an example to follow – but do we wash each other’s feet?
History
It would seem that foot washing was a frequent occurrence in early Christianity, part of the Benedictine Order’s understanding of hospitality. The Roman Catholic Church Pope would wash the feet of the sub-deacons and of thirteen men after his dinner on Maundy Thursday. In 2013 Pope Francis washed the feet of two women and Muslims at a juvenile detention centre in Rome; then the feet of Muslims and Hindus in 2016; hence after 2016 women were now permitted to have their feet washed within the Catholic liturgy. The Methodist Church includes the removal of all vessels, cloths, books and furnishings from the sanctuary as a sign the desolation of Gethsemane. (MWB, p.240). The Minister is invited to either wash the feet of 12 members of the congregation or a small group may wash each other’s feet in turn, or a combination of both options. We think that the lady portrayed is Angela Merkel, and not the current First Minister of Scotland.
So what?
Perhaps our reticence to wash each other’s feet is the shoes that we now wear, that perceived “shall I take off my shoes in someone else’s home?” – what of the smell of my socks/feet?
This Tintoretto painting depicts a scene in Venice in the 16th C where breeches are being discarded.
The cover image and the one added above here is possibly a more modern perspective of Jesus washing feet.
This was a time when the disciples were so rushed off their feet. This was the final week for Jesus, albeit the disciples were still a little nonplussed over this. If foot washing was originally to remove the dirt from the travails of life, could we consider this today?
What could be the considered as the dirt of today, that mess in life which can be found in the metaphorical desert of life? No, not sin, but dirt which might hold us back from giving to others, sharing with others. Recall that Jesus was focussed upon the Kin_dom of God being near. What if we could give time to one another, that gift of listening perhaps. I think today it means more than sending a card or ringing someone, it is something which is part of our life: a giving to others – what could be such a sacrificial giving today? What of the waiter/waitress today? Why do we accept that their wages may be insufficient but ignore that opportunity to tip them?
What of the goods that we own, around the house? Were they purchased from ethical sources? Are those who produced those goods paid a living wage?
It is to challenge that injustice however small an influence we might feel we have – be the grit in the shoe, be the difference.
Jesus demonstrated that will to ‘turn over the tables’ and to show others what true hospitality might look like regardless of social strata, and to be radically generous. Ultimately, we started this Gospel passage with Jesus loving his disciples. It ends with us showing such love to all whom we meet. As Jesus washed the very feet , we must be radical in our generosity to those who serve us.
A Reflection
At our study group we will, as we are still in lockdown due the pandemic, not be able to meet. So how can we wash each other’s feet? All have been invited to bring with them a small bowl of water: large enough for their own feet or hand – it’s up to them.
I invite you to read the passage John 13:1-12.
If possible close your eyes, rest back into your chair or settee, feel your back being supported. If it is better for you, might I suggest you have nothing in your hands. Imagine ourselves in that room. Perhaps it is a little hot now, the heat of the day has started to dissipate outside but it’s a bit warm here, more so with 13 people plus others who’d have brought and served the food.
Where are we sitting or reclining around the table? Where is Jesus to you?
Reflect upon the separation from yourself and Jesus. Do you feel that Jesus would want you to be closer still?
Jesus stands and removes his outer garment and goes to a corner of the room to collect a basin and starts to decant water into the vessel. What was your immediate response?
He starts to wash the feet on others around the table. Would we have wanted him to start with us? Oh Wow, he’s washing Judas’ feet…
He comes to you. He bends over and nods, suggesting that you raise your foot off the floor and so he can gently wash it in the basin. How might it feel that the Son of God would want to wash your foot? Why? Is your mind in turmoil, as is mine, with this turning over of the tables of power?
Why not invite others, if you are in an online group, to wash their foot or hand, as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples? as Jesus washes your foot or hand now.
What comes into our minds as we see Jesus moving onto the next person? Do we want to help?
What might be your thoughts on washing one another’s feet today?
As we return to our room, what might we wish to say to Jesus, as a friend, of this time?
We listen to The Servant King, with permission, sung by Deacon Joy and her wife: