A quick thought about Foot Washing

Foot Washing tends to be one of those things we do around Easter to remember the servant's heart that Jesus carried into everything He did.  When He took the time to wash the disciple's feet before that last supper, I think He was doing more than just serving them.  


People didn't wear shoes back in those days that covered your whole foot - it was more like sandals.  I don't know about you, but I've walked down some dusty / muddy roads in just flip-flops or sandals, and it didn't take very long for my feet to be covered in whatever I was walking through.  I was definitely an act of servanthood for Jesus to wash off all of that dirt and mud from their feet.  But what if He was also saying something else through that act?  Perhaps He was also telling them (and us), that He would be able to wash us clean from anything we could ever walk through.  


You see, sometimes we go through some pretty nasty stuff: sin, heartache, confrontation, misunderstandings, relational tension, stress, etc.  More often than not, when we go through those things, we normally don't come out completely clean.  Sometimes we allow the small seeds of bitterness, unforgiveness, doubt, or hardheartedness to stay in out hearts.  Jesus is telling us that He can get all the mud and dirt off of our feet after we walk through something nasty, because (thankfully) He's not afraid to get His hands dirty.  


The same applies in our relationships with others.  When we go through conflict or tension or seemingly unforgivable circumstances, we need to be ready and willing to kneel down and wash the dirt off.  That is sometimes the only way to real healing & restoration.


That is what it means to be a servant.