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Jesus washes the feet of His disciples

After finishing the supper, Jesus, Jesus laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded. When He came to Peter, Peter said to Him, “Lord, dost thou wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “What I do thouknowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter”. Even then Peter insisted on Jesus’ not washing his feet. Then Jesus told him very clearly that Peter would not have no part with Him. The emotional Peter immediately retorted that Jesus should not only wash his feet but also his hands and his head. Jesus replied, “He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all” Then Jesus washed the feet of Peter. Jesus asked His disciples also to follow His example and to wash one another’s feet. H finally said, “The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him”

Jesus not only loved His disciples but also humbled Himself before them. Peter thought Jesus should not wash the feet of a sinner like him. What a paradox! The Master washes the feet of His disciples! The disciples are supposed to serve their master or to wash the feet of their master. In India, a guru (spiritual teacher) is served by his disciples i.e. sishyas. Jesus changed the normal human tradition.

In many churches, during the holy week, the priests wash the feet of the parishioners symbolically. Do they really humble themselves before the parishioners on the other days of the year and serve them? Do they do so just to make a show like the Pharisees? How can they wash the feet of their disciples so long as they do not consider themselves as servants? By remaining as the priests under the Levitical priesthood, they cannot wash the feet of the disciples.

Let us humble ourselves before the people to whom we serve in a true manner and not in a hypocritical manner.

- Job Anbalagan