Near and Now – John 13
Experiencing the Holy in Everyday Life: Foot Washing
Warm-up Question
What does it mean to serve one another?
Reflection Questions
- What do you see in this image?
- What do you feel looking at this image?
- What stories from your own life does this image bring to mind?
- What stories of the world does this image bring to mind?
You also should do as I have done to you
Bible Story Reflection
The streets of Jesus’ time were likely unpaved or made of rocks. Most people either wore homemade sandals or no shoes at all. Foot washing was an act of hospitality performed by servants of a household, providing visitors with a sense of welcome after a long journey. Given the nature of the act, foot washing was not seen as something hosts should do. Yet, after supper, Jesus, the Incarnation of the invisible God, gets on bended knee in an act of service to his beloved in Christ, and washes his disciple’s feet.
Jesus flips the act of foot washing upside down by reminding his disciples that no one is too great, too powerful, too holy to be in service of one’s neighbor. With this simple act of service, through the ordinary means of water, we are reminded of the extraordinary love that God has for us.
In our own lives God calls us to get on bended knee – both literally and metaphorically – and washes the feet of this weary world. Today, foot washing looks a whole lot different than it did in Jesus’ time. Today, this act of love and service can take shape in the form of a protest, providing a mean to a neighbor, or even speaking truth to power. Foot washing is ultimately about providing service to another member of the God’s holy reign, and reminding others of our mutual call to act in the example of Jesus and wash the feet of this weary world.
Discussion Questions
- Tell about a time in which you served someone. What was it like for you?
- Tell about a time in which someone served you. What was it like for you?
- Foot washing is an act of love, service, and vulnerability. When have you felt vulnerable?
- How easy is it to be vulnerable to someone else?
- What would you do if you were a disciple and Jesus tried to wash your feet?
- How do you think the disciples would tell this story?
- What does it look like to wash the feet of our weary world?
- In what ways are we called to wash one another’s feet?
- Think about a time you’ve had your feet washed (either physically or metaphorically). What was that experience like for you? Be specific.
- This text reminds us that Jesus often comes to us in the opposite way of what we would have imagined. What other ways does Jesus come to us in the opposite?
Activity Suggestions
Gather a towel and bowl filled with water. Acting in the example of Jesus, wash the feet of your neighbor (whoever that might be – family member, friend, small group member, etc.) saying “I was your feet in the name of Jesus, who through death, washes the feet of this weary world.”
On a blank piece of paper write down five ways you can live out Jesus’ commandment to love and serve one another.
Provide an act of service in your community. Grab gloves and a trash bag. Go outside and pick up trash in your neighborhood.
Prayer Concerns
Service, Love, Vulnerability
Closing Prayer
Work through me, O God, that others might encounter you in who I am and what I do. In the name of +Jesus, Amen.