By Donnie Stubblefield
“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you.” -Jesus
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples! ALL of his disciples had the Master kneel before them using a basin of water and towel to refresh their toes. Jesus even knelt before the toes of one who did not agree with his beliefs, the one who would betray him! Jesus knew who would betray him. Yet he humbled his heart, knelt before Judas, placed Judas’ feet in the basin, and wiped them with a towel.
Judas left the table, and his fellow disciples had no clue as to what was happening. None of the guys he walked with for 3 years bothered to ask Judas why he was leaving. None asked why Judas was leaving the table. None asked and Judas walked away, alone.
“Then after [Judas] had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him” (John 13:27). Judas immediately went out. And it was night. Satan prowls like a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour. God’s love allows free will so we can follow His narrow path or roam down a wide world of our own.
Jesus then tells the eleven…”A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).
The world is hurting. We are all covered with the hurt and anger from past wounds, original sin. I know that hurt people hurt people. Hurting people still need their toes refreshed, even more so when they do not agree with us. Can we, as Jesus with skin on, humble our hearts and grab the basin and towel and offer to wash their feet? Can we, as Jesus with skin on, invite them to the table so we can listen? Can we, as Jesus with skin on, reach out in love so no one is hurting alone? Can we, as Jesus with skin on, make sure that no one is walking alone? Can we, as Jesus with skin on, LOVE one another?! It’s your free will….