foot washing

As we enter Holy Week, some of the events of that week may engage our hearts in fresh ways this Lenten Season. John 13 is a powerful passage concerning service. Jesus does the job of a servant by washing is disciples' feet. This is a demeaning and probably disgusting task! But we must remember that this is the nature that He assumed, not only human form, but the very nature of a servant according to the Apostle Paul. He ends the embarrassment (to the disciples) of this ministry to them by telling them to do the same! And so in this Holy Week whose feet (literally or figuratively) will we wash? Early in the narrative is something that makes all the difference to this behaviour:
"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.. he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet." (John 13.3-5) It is the word "so" that is so significant. We might translate the passage as "Because Jesus knew.."  It is when we know who we are, and that our origin and destiny is in and with Christ that we are released from our sinful struggle for significance in the lonely dance of survival of the fittest. We are joint heirs with Christ, being formed into His image (a servant), and destined for glory. Why need to be big fish in a small pond? So whose feet will it be?