Jesus Washing Feet
While studying last week, I came across something that really struck me, and I forgot to post a blog on it until now. I don't remember where I read it, but I read an article about Jesus washing the feet of his disciples at the last supper (John13:4-8). The author of the article stated that usually a servant or the wife of the host would wash the feet of the guests that came into their home. This really made an impression on me, because I realized that Jesus does not hesitate to identify with servants and women. I thought about how this must have impressed upon the men. I thought also about how many teachers of the gospel in this day and age stress different "roles" for men versus women. Jesus didn't allow Himself to be conformed into the roles society designated.
A certain preacher I know teaches (and many people believe) that men and women have God-ordained "roles". Men are "leaders" and women are "helpers" they tell us. They give two different definitions of serving. Men serve by leading, women serve by helping. Well, in John 13, Jesus takes on the role of a servant or woman, and tells the men disciples that if they want to be great, they need to become a servant. He did not tell them to be leaders; but He leads them into being servants. I love what He says to them:
"Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me 'Rabbi' and 'Lord', and you are right, because I am. Now, if I, the Lord and Rabbi have washed your feet, you also should wash each others feet. For I have set you an example, so that you may do as I have done to you." John 13:12-15
In our day and age, we do not wash peoples' feet when they come into our homes - in America anyway. :-) But the underlying principle is the same. I remember reading about Anne Lotz, Billy Graham's daughter (I think that is how you spell her name); how one time she was preaching, and the whole first two rows of men (preachers) turned their chairs around, putting their backs to her in protest because she was a woman, and in their view, women were not allowed to teach men. How really sad! Jesus identified Himself with women. Jesus was not afraid it would take away from His "manliness", to do "women's work" As a matter of fact, He held women in high esteem. He washed His disciples' feet. The question still remains. Do we understand what He did?
A certain preacher I know teaches (and many people believe) that men and women have God-ordained "roles". Men are "leaders" and women are "helpers" they tell us. They give two different definitions of serving. Men serve by leading, women serve by helping. Well, in John 13, Jesus takes on the role of a servant or woman, and tells the men disciples that if they want to be great, they need to become a servant. He did not tell them to be leaders; but He leads them into being servants. I love what He says to them:
"Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me 'Rabbi' and 'Lord', and you are right, because I am. Now, if I, the Lord and Rabbi have washed your feet, you also should wash each others feet. For I have set you an example, so that you may do as I have done to you." John 13:12-15
In our day and age, we do not wash peoples' feet when they come into our homes - in America anyway. :-) But the underlying principle is the same. I remember reading about Anne Lotz, Billy Graham's daughter (I think that is how you spell her name); how one time she was preaching, and the whole first two rows of men (preachers) turned their chairs around, putting their backs to her in protest because she was a woman, and in their view, women were not allowed to teach men. How really sad! Jesus identified Himself with women. Jesus was not afraid it would take away from His "manliness", to do "women's work" As a matter of fact, He held women in high esteem. He washed His disciples' feet. The question still remains. Do we understand what He did?
posted by Laurie T at
6:29 PM
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