The Gospel of John, Chapter 13 (Washing of Feet)

The 13th chapter of John begins the story of the Last Supper. The Eucharist has already been covered in the Bread of Life Discourse (John 6), so John instead focuses on other aspects of this event. After the meal, Christ washes the feet of the disciples. He then tells them that He is doing this as an example to them, and they must do likewise for each other.

What is Jesus doing here? He's not washing away sin, as is done in baptism. He explicitly tells that that they are "clean all over" (John 13:10) with the exception, of course, of Judas Iscariot. Well, when do your feet get dirty and need washing? All the time! Whenever you walk around, especially if you're wearing sandals. A lot of our uncleanness comes from within us -- literally. We sweat; we secrete oil and we ferment in our own bacteria. Sin, likewise, comes from within us, as we damage ourselves.

But there is much in the way of hurts that come from outside. At the beginning of the chapter, the Evangelist mentions that this was just before Passover, when the Israelites were rescued from the oppression of Egypt. God was not, primarily, delivering the Israelites from sin here, but rather an external. This is what is analogous to the dirt on Peter (and the other disciples') feet. Rather than running away from the grime of the world, Jesus Christ wraps a towel around his waist and begins washing feet. While this is going on, the towel is getting dirtier and dirtier.

What really breaks this chapter open is Psalm 41, which Jesus quotes in verse 18. It is strange to think of a psalm being fulfilled, but it answers any questions about what Christ is discussing here. The Psalm is dedicated, "for the leader," (Psalm 41:1) and tells us,

"Happy is he who considers the poor. When misfortune strikes, the Lord delivers him." (Psalm 41:2)

The man in this Psalm is mocked, stricken with illness and betrayed. We see nothing of blame in him, and the Lord brings him back from his sick bed -- from death -- when all hope was lost. We all hope for that -- to be raised from the dead, and to be healed of all our afflictions.

We know that we can do nothing without God's power (John 5). We know that we cannot see the way unless he enlightens us (John 9). But he does give us strength and guidance, and  and now He is calling us to use those gifts. He commands us to "love one another; even as I have loved you." (John 13:34)