“When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!””
John 13:6-9 NLT
The thought of Jesus washing his feet was too much for Peter. He wanted to opt out of the experience, probably feeling embarrassed that his Lord and Master could even consider doing such a thing. We remember what Peter said in reply to Jesus’ question about who He was. Matthew 16:13-16, “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”” So it was no wonder that Peter was experiencing a plethora of internal feelings; after all, how could His Messiah be allowed to wash his feet? John the Baptist had a similar experience when Jesus came to him for baptism. We read in Matthew 3:13-14, “Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”” Both men were very much in awe that God was present with them, God Incarnate, God in human flesh. And I am sure that we pilgrims would be feeling much the same, were we standing in their sandals at that time.
In Peter’s case, Jesus soon made him change his mind. I can imagine the gentle reproach from Jesus’ lips sinking into Peter’s mind, as he grappled with the dilemma before him. However, he blurted out, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” Peter was sold out for his friend and Lord. His response came from a heart that was not interested in anything else, other than to serve and follow his dear Lord Jesus. His love for Jesus was far greater than his embarrassment.
An interesting story, faithfully recorded by John. He wrote this Gospel some time after this event but it was still vividly stored away in his mind. And we are very grateful to John, because the humility of Jesus has served as an example to generations of Christians ever since.
But regarding a practical application, what do we pilgrims make of it? Are we like Peter, embarrassed by the very thought that someone, one of our peers or even someone we look up to, would get on their knees before us with a towel and basin of water to wash our feet? More, would we ourselves be prepared to be the foot washers? We pilgrims are called to serve our fellow human beings, believers or not. It will not necessarily mean literally washing our neighbours’ feet, but it will mean devoting our time and energy for the good of those around us, serving them to the exclusion of our own feelings.
Dear Foot-washing God, we worship and praise You today. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 