Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tonight, we gather in the shadow of a momentous event—the Last Supper, the final meal shared by Jesus and his disciples before the tumultuous events of betrayal, trial, torture, crucifixion, and death. Tonight, we’re confronted with the essence of discipleship embodied in a simple yet profound act: the washing of feet.
Unlike in the other three gospels, in St. John’s gospel, with an awareness of his coming betrayal, we witness Jesus humbly kneeling before his disciples as assumes the role of a servant. He washes their feet—a task reserved for the lowest of servants. Peter, initially resistant to this profound act of humility, protests, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Unable to comprehend the depth of Jesus’ action—really, his sacrifice—Peter recoils, but Jesus persists, not only explaining but revealing the true significance of what he’s doing: to demonstrate the radical cost of discipleship and the essence of love.
Peter, upon hearing Jesus’ response, offers his whole self—“Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” He seems eager, maybe even too eager, to be cleansed. This is a pivotal moment. It marks Peter’s understanding of Jesus’ message. He responds this way because he finally realizes the deeper significance of Jesus’ actions. Initially resistant, he grasps that allowing Jesus to wash him is more than just physical cleansing—it is a complete acceptance of Jesus’ authority and the transformative power of his love. In his eagerness to be fully cleansed, Peter aligns his desire completely with Jesus and his teachings. Through Peter’s response to offer his whole self to Jesus, we’re reminded of the transformative power of surrender. Like Peter, we’re called to lay aside our pride and self-assurance, to offer ourselves fully to Jesus, to allow him to wash away our fears and insecurities.
As disciples of Jesus, we’re challenged to embrace a new understanding of discipleship—one characterized by humility, service, and sacrificial love. It’s not about status or hierarchy, but about stepping outside our comfort zones with humility and love, even in situations where we feel self-assured of our own rightness, our own course of action.
In our day-to-day lives, this may look like listening with empathy to someone whose views differ from your own, extending kindness to those who have wronged us, or standing up for the marginalized and oppressed, for the bullied and belittled—even when it’s unpopular or uncomfortable. Discipleship embodies the age-old proverbial wisdom, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” It’s about letting God be God, and understanding we fit into his plan, not him into ours. In these ordinary acts service we bear witness to the transformative power of the good news of God’s indefatigable love. In these ordinary acts service, we embody, we fulfill Jesus’ commandment to love one another as he has loved us.
As we embark on this journey through these high holy days, reflect on Peter’s response and ask yourself: Are you willing to lay aside your pride and self-assurance, and offer yourself fully to Jesus? And are you willing to step outside your comfort zones with humility and love, even when it challenges you to confront your own biases and preconceptions?
Though we falter, God does equip us for this high yet humble call. The Holy Spirit accompanies us, poured into us at our baptism, the same spirit, who raised Jesus from the dead the first Easter morning, the Easter morning, that we travel toward beginning this evening. That same Spirit is with us, through all of life, conforming us to God‘s perfected image for us. She grants us the strength and courage to walk this path of discipleship, knowing that we don’t walk alone but in the footsteps of our Lord, who lovingly washes our feet and calls us to do likewise for one another.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Rev'd Daniel W. Spigelmyer, Jr. 