Читать книгу The Crucified Is My Love - Johann Ernst von Holst - Страница 28

20

Friday Evening

Foot Washing as Symbol

He rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus answered him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “The one who has bathed does not need to wash, except for his feet, but is completely clean. And you are clean, but not every one of you.”

John 13:4–10

“I AM AMONG YOU as one who serves,” the Lord had just said (Luke 22:27). Now he arose and gave proof of this word in deed by washing the feet of all those sitting at table, a service that had been neglected. The Lord of glory, who knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, knelt down in front of his sinful disciples and washed their dusty feet. This moving act is symbolic of his spiritual work of love upon his disciples.

Judas is cold and silent as he allows this menial service to be done to him. The other disciples are amazed and ashamed yet submit to what their Lord is doing. When, however, he approaches Peter with the basin, the disciple draws his feet away in alarm and cries out, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Here once more the impulsive disciple gives such lovable expression to natural feeling! Nothing can humble him more deeply than such a service done by the Master. But this bitter humiliation is a wholesome medicine that the Lord cannot spare his Peter. He seeks to calm his resistance with friendly words of encouragement, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.” But Peter cannot be quiet and cries more vehemently, “Never!” Then the Lord overcomes his resistance with the severe words, “If I do not wash you, you have no share in me.” No share in him? Peter cannot bear that. Where could he go if he were to have no share in him who is his life, his all? He is completely disarmed and softened. He also begins to sense the significance of the washing, and in a flood of emotion he calls out, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” But here he has misfired again. At this time the Lord wants only to wash his feet. For whoever has had a bath – as was the custom before the festival – needs only to have his dusty feet washed in order to be clean.