“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No.” Said Peter, “You shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”
Simon Peter replied, “Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.
When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, you Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. Now that you know these things you will be blessed if you do them.
This message has been on my heart since arriving to the orphanage, and I was able to share it with them!
(Talking to kids is really good practice for me, because I usually get REALLY nervous)
When I heard this message at home and then experienced the actual foot washing it was always really powerful to me. Like a visual of what Jesus did for the disciples. And then to know that He did that to set an example of what we should do… well I just really felt like it was something we needed to show the kids. Since no one has ever done it for them before.
Every time we would wash a child’s foot, they would have the biggest grin on their face. Like they actually got it, you know?
Then after we washed all the adults feet, they wanted us to sit down so they could wash ours.
THAT made me even more emotional. These people are constantly giving of themselves and being a true example of what Christ calls us to do.
