John 13:1-17

Jesus asks each of us to be washed in His mercy and to humbly wash one another's feet with His merciful love.

"And the Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the earth, and said, 'My Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I fetch a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on--since you have come to your servant.' So they said, 'Do as you have said.'" (1)

Be Made Clean

He wrapped a towel 'round His waist,
And, one by one, He washed their feet;
Peter viewed this act with distaste -
His understanding incomplete.

"Unless you're washed, you have no share
with me", He checked Peter's protest.
"Then wash my feet and hands and hair",
Peter answered the Lord's request.

"Do you see what I have shown you?
You call me 'Lord', and rightly so,
Yet the slave's role is what I do --
The master's called to serve below."

He washes the soul's dirty feet,
Cleansing the heart with gentle care.
With His mercy, grace is replete;
In His kingdom, the soul will share.

"Wash each other's feet, as I do,
If you do this, blessed are you."


May the Lord guide us in the virtue of humility as we strive to serve one another with His love.

1. Genesis 18:1-5


(c) Paul Buis, 2005