Radical Love

The night before he was arrested, an unusual event happened, while Jesus observed the passover supper with his disciples. Not at the beginning of the meal as was custom, but half way through Jesus took off his robe and wrapped a towel around his waist. Kneeling before each disciple, he washed every foot (24 of them).  Jesus showed his love by becoming a servant, a common slave.  He got down on his knees, and touched the dusty, calloused feet of men who had walked miles with him.  He humbled himself over and over, twelve times, washing the feet — even the feet of his betrayer. He lovingly wiped the dirt and muddy water from Judas’ feet. And he did this task while his emotions were probably churning, because within 18 hours he would be experiencing torture and crucifixion. And he knew it.

The result of this radical act of love was simply this:  The Master of the Universe, Jesus the Carpenter from Nazareth, comes among us as a common slave, one who intends to serve. And he loves and serves even those who turn against him. And he loves and serves even when he faces the darkest hours of his life. 

Serving one another is not the way of the world. Humbling yourself to wash another person’s toes, kneeling to ease the tiredness in a person’s heel, is not what the world thinks of as an act of love.  But Jesus did this.  Even more amazing was Jesus’ washing his betrayer’s feet.  Could you do that?  Wash your enemy’s feet?  Could you serve like this as you face the darkest hours of your lives?   Now that is radical love!