Dinner was set, and all were made ready. Time to eat, and the Master requested a towel and a washbasin. Naturally, hearts were curious. What again, they must have wondered. Their Master's leadership; is the style characterised by twists and turns, surprises, and awe-inspiring moves. They became much better people just hanging around him. Their ignorant life made full of clout and wisdom, and power. They were boys to the henchman. How cool was that?
That day though, the water basin and towel move was a wonder. As the disciple sat down to watch, they saw him go on one knee. The Master was bowing, for what and to whom?
Jesus stopped at the first disciple and demanded his dirty feet. "Stretch out your feet", was the order. Bewildered, he did as commanded. There was silence in the room. The eyes and body did the talking. What was he up to? What was he trying to say?
The Master grabbed the feet, dipped them in the basin, and started to wash. The disciple, though bewildered, could not ask questions but had inner turmoil.
One after the other, feet were stretched for the Master to clean.
Jesus got to Peter, and the disciple refused. The others may not know what is right, nor the person of Jesus. He had earlier made it known that Jesus was Christ the anointed one. Had they forgotten He came from heaven and was not their mate?
It was a privilege to be called to be His disciple. After all, many fishermen did not make it to their company.
He insisted he could not have his Master serve him in such a derogatory way.
Jesus' response threw another spanner in the works. "If I do not clean your feet, you will not have your place in me."
The intelligent guy Peter said, "don't just clean my feet wash the whole of my body, and let me have all of you."
Let us pause there a bit.
Jesus was trying to teach how to be a master. If you are so-called, you are to come down to the level of the people. To touch anyone's life, you have to reach their heart. You must show you are humble enough to go ten yards with them. You have to be willing to take the crap.
Peter wanted it all. He was that passionate, but Jesus replied it was enough to have the token.
The message is clear enough without us going into religion.
Let's take the second part of the service.
The table was set, and the Master was ready to unlock the next mystery.
So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” (John 13:4-9)
