Feet are gross. The dirt. The germs. The things they step in that we don’t even realize. Gross. But, as gross as feet are today, they were even grosser in the 1st century. Yet, it was customary to wash your feet when you entered someone’s home. It’s rude to track in all that gross 1st century world. But, because the demands of hospitality were so high, often the host was responsible for securing foot washing for his guests. On the other hand, feet are gross. So, most hosts would have a servant wash the feet of their guests. It’s gross so let’s get someone else to do it for us. You would certainly never expect someone of great status and respect to wash feet. Ew.

       Yet, in John 13, Jesus washes his disciples feet. This shocks the disciples. Peter even initially refuses to have his feet washed. It’s gross. It’s so far beneath Jesus’ station and status. We should be washing our feet and his. He shouldn't be doing this.

       But Jesus, true to himself, took on the hard task, the unwanted and unpleasant task, on behalf of others. He did what nobody wanted to do. Make no mistake, Jesus didn’t want to wash feet. Nobody wants to do that. He did it as an act of sacrifice born of love.

       Then, Jesus says this to his disciples in John 13:14-15, “14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” Jesus did what nobody else wanted to out of loving sacrifice. Then he said to do the same thing.

       Volunteering and serving isn’t always what we want to do. Often, nobody wants to do it. So thank you. Thank you for washing feet this Sunday (not literally: don’t worry). Thank you for doing what Jesus did and taking on a task that needs done but nobody is running towards. Thank you for taking the role of Jesus and serving others on Sunday. Thank you!