After [Jesus] had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to [the disciples], "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord - and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."

Filthy, stinky, sweaty feet, coated with grime and animal waste from the road.
Our king, clad in a towel,
bending low, kneeling, washing, washing away more than dirt,
washing away sin, washing away pride, washing away doubt.
Our king, rising, putting on his robe,
telling us to serve, to forgive, to love, to restore
one another as He restores us.
With His blessing we go,
out into the world to bless others with His love.

So much is wrapped up in this one act of love and forgiveness as Jesus washes his disciples' feet - even the feet of his betrayer Judas. As I read again these powerfully familiar words, my congregation's stewardship theme from the fall kept coming back: "Blessed to Bless." Jesus blessed us to bless with his tender yet potent example of love and service. Because of his sacrifice and his example, we are blessed to bless. Each time we serve someone with Christ's love, each time we forgive one another, each time we restore others to Jesus, we are washing feet!

With Christ's humility, we should serve one another
With Christ's love, we are to forgive one another
With Christ's example as a servant, we are to restore one another as he restores us