Holy Thursday, April 9
John 13:1-15. Jesus knew his hour had come to pass from this world. During supper, he rose, took off his outer garments…and tied a towel around his waist. He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. He came to Simon Peter, who said, “Master, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus answered, “What I am doing, you do not understand now, but you will understand later.”
| Jesus was the
leader of his disciples and each of the disciples knew “their place” as disciples,
even Judas, and they revered Jesus as the world's and their own savior. When
Jesus got down on his hands and knees to wash their feet, he did something truly
humbling. The act shocked the disciples in its humility. Such an act would shock a lot of us if it were to occur in our day-to-day lives. How many of our leaders (spiritual or secular) would perform such acts of humility and in what way? How often do we go about our daily business with a familiar hierarchy in place, and with assumptions and expectations as to how the world operates and who should do what for whom? Why is this considered normal when we are all from dust and to dust we shall return? And yet, it is normal behavior, which is why Jesus’ lesson in humility continues to resonate today. Humility tricks us: its gentle simplicity is a powerful force in the human condition. - Ian Davies, Professor of Spanish; Chair, Foreign Languages |