Yesterday, we went to Fort Worth and shopped for shoes for Tina. John Landers of St. Barnabas has been in that business for his entire professional career. He's good at it. He shared with us, "Everybody ought to sell shoes at least once in their lifetime. It's very humbling, helping people with their feet." People feel strongly about their feet. Some like the looks of their feet and some do not. Yet, there is no feeling quite like being in your bare feet along the beach or walking on a nice lawn. Feet are also the parts of our body that take the most abuse.
Peter, in our scripture passage, understood the humilty part about feet. About 35 years ago, I was at my first footwashing. It was part of a retreat. For people who are comfortable with themselves and like their feet, footwashing is "cool." For those of us who have groty feet and think that socks are a truly divine gift, it was quite another. I remember feeling awkward, uncomfortable and strangely vulnerable. I gladly washed someone else's feet, but for me it was much like Peter.
But for Peter there was a more important lesson going on. Peter saw Jesus as his master, as his authority. He was to wash the Master's feet, not the reverse. Here the master who has healed the sick, walked on water and raised the dead is now washing the feet of his servants. Jesus was modeling the proper use of power as a servant leader. It's the only kind of leader there is in the kingdom.
But as I see this scene, I am once again reminded of the beginning of chapter 12, when Jesus had his own feet washed with anointing oil. Jesus, as a servant leader, was not above needing the love and grace of others. Authentic service often begins with being able to authentically receive. Many Christians are "giving machines," enjoying the sense of significance they feel at sharing of themselves, but uncomfortable when someone shares with them. There is a sense of powerlessness we sometimes feel when we are the receiver, and dare we admit it, a sense power when we are the giver. Jesus was both a gracious and open receiver as well as a generous giver. Leadership in the kingdom requires that we become both.
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l. So many people don't experience anyone touching them- When I did direct patient care, I made a habit of rubbing my patients feet. When folks are sick, they tend to feel ugly, vulnerable, lonesome, sad. Many have become very emotional when I have rubbed lotion into their feet. sometimes it has also provided a time to chat with them. I have considered it an act of love and have always felt blessed to have that opportunity!
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