"Loved Like No Other" - John 13:1-17 - April 8, 2004

When I hear this story I can identify with Peter. I can imagine how Peter felt when Jesus kneeled down to wash his feet. He must have been embarrassed. Jesus was someone Peter looked up to. "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" I would have said, "Are you crazy? This is not something guys do to other guys." The idea of Jesus performing such a meager task was unbelievable.

One time I had a problem with my right foot. I had to take my sock and shoe off and expose my smelly foot so my doctor could examine it. Although I had showered that morning I still felt embarrassed. The doctor rubbed all over it, poked a few places and at one point was holding my foot with both hands. I know physicians are paid well but I don’t think I could do what they do. But, they are committed to our health and wholeness and sometimes they have to get their hands dirty to attend to their patients.

After Jesus had washed Peter’s feet he challenged him to wash the feet of the other disciples. He wanted his followers to understand that their love for each other was just as important as his love for them. Through the foot washing event, Jesus challenged his followers to accept him as a servant, one who is no greater than them. We also are challenged that to accept Jesus is to accept each other and to be servants to one another.

To put it another way, to love Jesus or be loved by Jesus goes hand in hand with our love for others. Our story makes it very clear that we have a choice. We can accept the love of Christ or we can reject his love. Judas rejected his love. Judas was not willing to be part of the faith community. When Judas betrayed Jesus he also denied himself the opportunity to love his brothers and sisters of the faith.

This story describes one of those rare moments when Jesus was very intimate with his disciples. Most of the gospel has to do with his ministry to others and his teachings. But here we find Jesus becoming "one" with them. By washing Peter’s feet Jesus disregarded the conventional idea that he was in a authoritarian position. He squelched any perception that he was above them or over them. Instead he demonstrated that the disciples were on the same level and wanted them to see one another in the same light.

What Jesus did was an act of gracious hospitality. For it was the custom in that day to welcome a stranger into your home and wash their feet. This was ordinarily performed by servants. But, Jesus wanted his followers to understand that by putting themselves in the place of the servants they would experience the kind of love that was needed in order for them to truly be accepting of one another.

Our faith is about intimacy; with God, with Jesus, with each other. When we reject others or hold back our love, we reject God. God wants us to be close and closeness happens when we are willing to humble ourselves and hold the tired, hurting, smelly foot of others in the faith.

One final word. Jesus’ washed Peter’s feet in the midst of their Passover meal. The disciples were seated around the table. During the meal Jesus got up from the table and went over to Peter and demonstrated this symbolic act of love. In other words, Jesus did this in the middle of a highly traditional and sacred event. He intentionally broke tradition, ignored ritual and used a high, holy moment to model his love for Peter.

Sometimes we get wrapped up in tradition and ritual, especially during Holy Week. I believe that Jesus has clearly demonstrated that our love for one another has considerable more merit than the fact that we commune in some prescribed order. What matters most is our willingness to accept and love each other, not how we take communion or receive the elements from this table.

One Sunday morning an old cowboy entered a church just before services were to begin. Although the old man and his clothes were spotlessly clean, he wore jeans, a denim shirt and boots that were very worn and ragged. In his hand he carried a worn-out old hat and an equally worn-out old Bible. The church he entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church the old cowboy had ever seen. It had high cathedral ceilings, ornate statues, beautiful murals and stained-glass windows, plush carpet and velvet like cushioned pews. The building must have cost many millions of dollars to build and maintain. The men, women and children of the congregation were all dressed in the finest and most expensive suits, dresses, shoes and jewelry the old cowboy had ever witnessed.

As the poorly dressed cowboy took a seat, the others moved away from him. No one greeted him. No one welcomed him. No one offered a handshake. No one spoke to him. They were all appalled at his appearance and did not attempt to hide the fact. There were many glances in his direction as the others frowned and commented among themselves about his shabby attire. A few chuckles and giggles came from some of the younger members.

As the old cowboy was leaving the church, the preacher approached him. Instead of welcoming him, the preacher asked the cowboy to do him a favor. "Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worshipping in this church," the preacher said. The old cowboy assured the preacher he would do that and left.

The very next Sunday morning the old cowboy showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirt, boots and hat. Once again the congregation was appalled at his appearance. He was completely shunned and ignored again. The preacher noticed the man still wearing his ragged clothes and boots, and instead of beginning his sermon, stepped down from the pulpit and walked over to where the man sat alone. "I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our church," the preacher said. "I did," replied the old cowboy. "If you spoke to God, what did he tell you the proper attire should be for worshipping in here?" asked the preacher. "Well sir," said the old cowboy, "God told me that he wouldn’t have the slightest idea what was appropriate attire for worshipping in your church. He says he’s never even been in here." (From Homiletics, March/April, 2004)

Since Jesus interrupted the most sacred dinner of the year I doubt if he really cares what we wear to church. What matters most is our acceptance and unconditional love for others. The more intimate we are with each other, the more intimate we are with God. "Do this and you will be blessed," Jesus said. (vs. 17) Blessings are a result of our gracious acts of hospitality, our willingness to accept others and making love a higher priority than following traditional norms.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio