THE EVENT OF FOOT-WASHING OF THE DISCIPLES

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INTRODUCTION: Jesus’ life on earth was full of life-giving teachings, value-adding examples and trend setting symbolic actions. Among many of Jesus’ actions which convey us powerful message, we have the event of foot-washing of the disciples. Through this prophetic action Jesus transmits the message to disciples by word and example to be a perfect servant to render their humble service of love to humanity.

SETTING/CONTEXT: As the stillness of the night progresses Jesus speaks to his own chosen circle of disciples gathered around him for the last time, at the planned Passover meal, because Jesus is about to pass over from this world to the Father as the new Passover lamb, whose blood is about to be shed that we may pass over with him to share his life of intimate love-communion with his Father.

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According to John this event takes place before the festival of the Passover i.e. 14 Nissan -presuming post last supper, prayer at the Kidron Valley and arrest thereafter, next morning presentation before Pilate and crucifixion the same evening before the Passover commences. John therefore rightly places last supper with foot washing and the last long discourse to his chosen ones before leaving them, though it may mean that Jesus did not have Passover meal or rather he had early Passover meal.



INTERPRETATION:

1. THE ONLY WAY OF LOVE: The central point of the supper is love and we know that whole life of Jesus has been motivated by love ‘to the end’, i.e. till his final breath the mission of love lasted. In Jesus’ own words, “no greater love a man can have, than to lay down his life for one’s friend.” In the place of the institution of the Eucharist St. John relates the washing of the feet, the gestures of a typical ‘slave’. This solemn gesture reveals his supreme love for his own as St. John puts it ‘having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end’.

The taking off of his garments point symbolically to his self-emptying of his divine might and majesty and by girding towel around his waist he takes on the form of a slave. Thus, the son of God kneels at the feet of sinful human beings to hold, to wash and to wipe their dirty feet. The Almighty God who holds the whole universe in his hands takes those dirty feet in those hands and finally stretches out those same hands to be nailed to the cross in order to cleanse the sin of the world. By becoming a servant, he is asking us to imitate him saying, ‘do as I have done to you.’

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2. FORE-KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS:

a. Jesus knew that the hour of his humiliation as well as his glorification was near. Therefore he was filled with pride of the fulfillment of his mission on earth, yet he washes the feet of his disciples, at the supreme moment of pride, he showed the supreme humility as that of a slave; this is the way of love which wins the hearts.

b. Jesus knew that his return is very near and he dies displaying the best way of love. His death becomes his victory to return to his Father.

c. Jesus also knew about his betrayal, yet it did not cause bitterness or hatred rather he served his betrayer at the table. The supreme disloyalty is dealt with greatest love and supreme humility. Only Jesus could do this.

3. THE ROYALTY OF SERVICE: In comparison with Luke’s account we find a hint of a ‘dispute about who was the greatest among them’. It means that disciples had an inner conflict for inheritance of prestige, power and position in Jesus’ kingdom. Thus, in such a situation Jesus’ act puts them in dismay. The roads of Palestine being so rough, unclean and dusty, the journey seems rather tough with ordinary sandals. For this reason, there were always big water pots at the door of houses and also a servant with a jug and towel to wash the dirty mud filled feet of the arriving guests. Since Jesus and his disciples had no servant, this duty must be shared among themselves. But they being competitive and proud, none opens to each other. Thus, Jesus does the needful to mend their omission, teaching them a great lesson in a dramatic way. ‘You see what I have done…” is the reminder of Jesus when he finished washing. Have things changed to this day? No, the craving for greatness, power, prestige, rights and dignity hinders in following the way Jesus showed us. The tragedy of today is that no one understands that greatness lies in one’s humility.

4. THE ESSENTIAL WASHING: The Peter’s episode of refusal of foot washing and his acceptance later when Jesus pointed its salvific purpose refers to a necessary washing of Christian Baptism. It means unless we have baptism we have no part in the Church and its benefits. This washing therefore has a Baptismal significance and its rejection like Peter’s meant exclusion from the benefits of eternal life. According to the Palestinian custom the arriving-guests needed only foot washing. Today when infant baptism is practiced it refers to the washing through sacraments of penance.

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APPLICATION

By foot washing Jesus showed his humility and the symbolic connection between washing feet to cleansing the soul from the pollution of sin. But today we are spiritually washed by Christ through Sacraments and have new life in him. He cleanses us from sin and warns us to be on a watch against anything that defiles our way of life. Christ taught us a duty of mutual help i.e. we must accept help from others and give help to others. Today we only have to try and live as humbly as he did. Our social position at times demands no choice but to be at the service of others. Service is a sign of the power that one person has to meet the needs of others. The person serving maintains always a position of superiority. Jesus exemplified to us true service of making a gift of ourselves to another. It's not a debt or exploitation of others.

This is the night we are given a God who bends before us and washes our feet, knowing that each one of us betrays him, lacks love for him, thinks first of ourselves even as we claim to belong to him. Service mindedness is a requisite for discipleship. As Jesus gave himself up for our service, our bodily energies needs to given out for others, especially to the needy, the rejected, the suffering, the sick, the unprivileged, the defenseless, the outcasts and the least of our brothers and sisters. This is the inspiration of our social work apostolate in the Church. As Christ’s body broken and blood shed for benefit of all, we need to give our full energies, talents, time and resources for the service and benefits of all. This gesture of Jesus calls us to stoop down to heal, care, serve, reconcile, forgive and comfort those who are in need.



BIBLIOGRAPHY

Barcley, William, The Gospel of John, Vol. 2, Bangalore: TPI, 1981

Brown, Raymond E., The Gospel According to John-XII-XXI, New York: Doubleday & Company, 1970.

Fallon, Michael, The Gospel According to John, Bangalore: ATC, 1998.