Washing Feet And A Kingdom Of Power Series

PETER'S EMPHATIC "NO": Peter was deeply offended by Christ’s offer because he was still thinking of a traditional power structure.

- John 13:6-10a.

- The disciples were still expecting the inaugural of a traditional kingdom.

- Rome was going to be overthrown, the Jewish nation was going to rise, and the disciples would rule the new power structure with Jesus. That was the only thing they could imagine this ending up as.

- That’s what’s in Peter’s mind as this encounter happens.

- Jesus says He’s going to wash Peter’s feet and Peter responds with an emphatic “no.”

- It was completely unheard of for a superior to wash the feet of an inferior in either Jewish or Roman culture. That’s one reason why Jesus says what He says in v. 7.

- Verse 8 makes it clear just how committed Peter was to the traditional power structure. It makes it clear just how entrenched Peter’s mind is in that traditional power structure.

- Then we shift from outright opposition to confused compromise.

- Jesus pushes back on Peter’s opposition, so Peter tries to move to another tack. It’s also wrong, but in a different way.

- There is, I believe, symbolism happening here. It’s symbolic of salvation. We have been cleansed thoroughly at the moment of salvation, but we do need ongoing regular confession to keep our spiritual focus in place. Thus what Jesus says in v. 10a.

- v. 9 and dirty feet.

- It reminds me of wearing my good tennis shoes to coach softball. I started wearing my mowing shoes because walking around the infield and coaching third base left my good shoes covered in dust. They needed to be washed after each game.

- Walking the dusty roads of Palestine would inevitably lead to dust-caked feet. They would need washed at the end of a long day of travel.

- And, of course, Peter is still thinking of physical things rather than spiritual healing.

WHAT IS JESUS OFFERING INSTEAD? It’s a servant kingdom.

- John 13:4-5, 13-15.

- We are called to be servants of Christ.

- Now, what does this look like?

a. Serving the least.

b. Being humble and not needing praise.

c. Being oblivious to the traditional power structure.

- What does living that way do?

a. It stands out dramatically from business as usual.

b. It touches hearts.

- And transformed hearts are the goal.

c. It opens the door for God to empower small things to make a big impact.

- Does this mean that we should be having foot washings in church on a regular basis?

- I would argue that we don’t. I would also argue that is not a watering down of the passage.

- Some argue here that we are called to regularly have foot washing as a part of church services and that refusing to do that weakens what Jesus is calling us to. I disagree, although I do respect the earnestness of those who do foot washings.

- Verse 15 says you should do “as” I have done, not “what” I have done.

- This does not weaken the teaching – it actually is the harder interpretation. Why? Because in the more limited interpretation, it only impacts one thing I do occasionally in a church service. In the more expansive interpretation, it impacts my entire life – how I treat my family, my co-workers, my neighbors, etc. It calls me to take the lower place, to be a servant, to “wash feet” throughout my day. Making it a rite minimizes it.

- It’s also worth noting that this comes after two chapters of power struggles. Chapter 11 is about Lazarus’ resurrection and the Pharisees’ concerned response about Jesus’ increasing power. Note especially 11:47-48. Chapter 12 includes the Triumphal Entry and that further freaks them out. Note especially 12:42-43. There is a lot more in those two chapters, but that’s a few highlights.

- And then we come to chapter 13. All this talk about power and how does Jesus respond? Insights into how to gain more power? Thoughts on destroying your enemies? No, He washes feet.

- This is a completely new approach to power.

* * *

- This creates a quandary for us.

- Our entire world is centered around getting and maintaining power. This is why the response from the Pharisees to Jesus was so desperate. This is why the response from Peter to Jesus’ statement was so charged. It’s about power.

- And now Jesus is interjecting a completely different approach to power. How can we possibly make such a switch?

- Well, actually, the passage gives us the key. Interestingly, it’s a verse that usually gets overlooked as prelude, but I believe that’s actually central to understanding the passage as a whole. Why? Because it gives us the key to how we can reject the traditional attraction of power.