14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
The job of foot washing was done by the servant in the household. This was important to do especially if you were going to sit down for a meal. The roads were dusty and everyone wore sandals or went barefoot. Since people sat on the floor on cushions, it would not have been sanitary to have dirty feet.
For Jesus to perform this task was unthinkable. In fact, Peter objected to having his feet washed by Jesus until Jesus told him that if he refused, he would have no part of him. This is an important message of the Last Supper.
He showed us what is necessary if we are to lead others. We can’t teach anyone something we don’t know. If we aren’t humble, we can’t teach humility. If we aren’t forgiving, we can’t teach others to be forgiving. If we are not following Jesus, how can we teach others to do so?
This is what he reprimanded the Pharisees for doing and why he called them hypocrites. They did not follow the commandments and yet condemned others for being sinners. Just think for a minute, Judas was still with the other eleven when Jesus washed their feet. This means that he also washed the feet of Judas, knowing that he would betray him.
I know that I’m not always as kind to those I like as I should be. I don’t know if I would help someone who was plotting my downfall. Jesus showed us what we need to do and how we are called to live.
May we follow his example.
Lord Jesus, even at the last meal before your death you were showing us the way we should live. Help us when we are called upon to serve others, that we will do so without judging them. Amen.
