Love: ‘Do you know what I have done to you?’
Reading John 13: 12-15
After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said
to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you
are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you
also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should
do as I have done to you.”
Reflection
There is a model of humility captured in this act of foot washing. Jesus, as he nears his
Passion, gets down on his knees to complete a task of the lowliest kind and one that
subverts convention. Yet more than simply modelling humility what can be observed is a
supreme gesture of love. One that intends to move the relationship between Master and
Disciple to one of profound friendship. Indeed a little further on in the gospel we hear this
explained more fully. “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not
know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known
to you everything that I have heard from the Father” (Ch15:15).
There is another layer of significance that is sometimes attributed to this act of foot
washing, that of baptism. In the opening chapter of the fourth gospel the evangelist
explains that John the Baptist was baptising in the Jordan, that it was John the Baptist who
perceived God’s Chosen One as one who would baptise with the Holy Spirit. Now, as the
gospel narrative moves towards its climax, the evangelist includes a whole discourse with
Jesus encouraging his disciples that he will not leave them comfortless and promising the
gift of the Holy Spirit (ch14), all of which is prefaced by this demonstrative act of washing
his disciples feet. And, when questioned by Simon Peter, Jesus’ response is emphatic:
“Unless I wash you, you have no share with me”. It marks a key moment when the twelve
are to experience a deep and profound unity with their master.
To think about
Like foot washing for the disciples, baptism marks a ritualistic moment to endorse that self
same unity of faith. Baptism speaks to us of being born again of water and the Spirit. Like
Simon Peter, there is much that won’t be fully understood. What one can begin to grasp is
the washing; of being made clean; of sharing in a fellowship of faith; of being clothed with
Christ; and of being gided the Holy Spirit to step out into the world to live faithful lives.
Prayer
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
(Part of St Patrick’ Breastplate)
Written by Revd Canon Dr Robert Bull.
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