The Book of John: God Became FleshSample

A hundred years ago, little boys would set up boxes on street corners and offer to shine men’s shoes. It didn’t earn much, and it was a demeaning job. Think about it: shoes walking through city streets pick up all kinds of dirt, engine oil, gum. Shoes walking in the country might be even worse, picking up things we won’t mention.

Jesus and his disciples walked through even worse than that. Plus, their shoes were open leather sandals. Not only did their shoes pick up the dust and dung of the streets, so did their feet!

It was the job of the lowest servant to wash the feet of the family and their guests when they came in the house. The servant would kneel down with a basin of water and a towel and wash each person’s feet, removing the dust and the muck they had picked up in the streets.

When Jesus knelt to wash Peter’s feet, Peter was appalled! His teacher, his friend, the man he knows is the Messiah – he shouldn’t be washing anyone’s feet.

But Jesus came to earth to do more than that. Washing feet is a dirty job. Washing us clean from our sins is dirty and painful. Like a servant doing whatever job is needed, Jesus allowed himself to be whipped, beaten, spit on, mocked, and finally nailed to a cross. He did it because it’s what the holy God required as just payment for our sin; he did it willingly because he loves us.

Pray: Dear God, I humble myself to allow Jesus to wash me clean from sin. He is the only one who can. Amen.