John 13:12-17, Wash One Another's Feet

12 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 

The Church has not instituted foot-washing as a sacrament as with baptism and communion. So when Jesus says to do as he has done, he means so figuratively and not literally—although there is a time and a place for literally cleaning someone. He shows us how to be a servant to others and calls us to follow his humility. 

It is not enough to have a theology of Christ’s humility; you need to have your own practice of humility. Jesus says his disciples are correct in calling him “Lord”. This title has clear overtones of his deity. And if God is willing to stoop down in humility to serve us, then how much more should we be ready and willing to stoop down in humility to all followers of Jesus and even to those who do not yet know and follow Jesus. To refuse to do so is to proclaim ourselves superior to Jesus—a place only a fool goes. 

Lord Jesus, help us to listen to and follow in your call to humility and service that we may make much of others and not of ourselves and in so doing make much of you. Amen.