Get Your Feet Wet! …  Today is Maundy Thursday. You know, that day where Jesus washed feet—even the feet of Judas who was his traitor. We know the story so well that sometimes we miss the story in so many other ways. Let’s break it down so tomorrow will have more meaning than what we think!

Retaliation has its appeal and, in our society right now, retaliation is hot on the heels of those who someone doesn’t like. This ugliness happens in families, corporations, politics, and sadly even in our churches! Unlike us, Jesus had a better idea, way back then and still for us today. The Apostle John recorded the events of the final night before Jesus’ death. He and his followers had gathered in the Upper Room for the Passover. What the disciples didn’t know then, thankfully later on John wrote it down in his gospel-John 13:3 [NLT] with this statement: “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.”

Even though we knew little of Jesus’ life from when he was 12 years old and then emerged at 30 years to start his ministry of 3 years, Jesus knew the who and why of his life. He wasn’t just waiting for nothing; he knew what had to be done. Remember that Jesus was God’s only Son. He was on the earth to serve his Father. Jesus fully knew his identity and authority. And that’s why “He got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel he had around him.” [John 13:4–5 NLT]

People wondered then and today asking “Who is this man, he is not like any other man.” Well, this is Jesus—our CEO, head coach, king of the world, sovereign of the seas and yes, he washed feet—even Judas-the lying, conniving, greedy rat who sold Jesus down the river for a pocket of cash. We can imagine that the disciples would say “Jesus surely wouldn’t wash this guy’s feet-never-ever!? He is your betrayer, Jesus, he’s a ne’er-do-well—a good-for-nothing villain.”  But they were wrong, just as we can be wrong with others. Yes, Judas walked away with thirty pieces of silver, but when have you walked away from something you cannot control, something that is hurting you, your family, friends, etc.? You just want to shout “Come on, Jesus, you expect me to wash their feet and just let them go? They hurt me!” 

On that Maundy Thursday, Jesus told his disciples then and it is for us all today: “Since I, the Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.”
[John 13:14–15 NLT]

To accept grace is to accept the vow to give it. Sadly, most people don’t want to. They use the villain’s photo as their dart-board. Their ‘Vesuvius’ blows up every now and then, sending hate airborne-pollution and stinking up the world. Most people keep a pot of anger on low boil. But guess what, we aren’t supposed to be “most people.” Grace has happened for us—just look at your feet. They are wet—soaked in God’s grace. Your toes and arches and heels have felt the cool basin of God’s grace and Jesus has washed the grimiest parts of your life. He didn’t bypass you and carry the basin toward someone else. Pastor Max Lucado says: “If grace were a wheat field he would give you the state of Kansas!”

So, for heaven’s sake, can’t we share our grace with others? Thousands of people have ‘broken and cracked feet’. The grace of God that we share can give them “grace-soaked feet” and that is what Jesus wants us to do. It is why he came to save us—to save us ALL! AMEN.