DAILY DOSE OF HOPE – BLOG – NAIMA LETT
GOD PEDICURE? | DAY 38 OF 40 (LENT)

GOD pedicure?

That’s the first thought that came to mind when I read today’s passage. I know, I should probably take myself more seriously and ponder deep, theological thoughts about humility and service.

Instead I thought, “What in the world would it have been like to receive a pedicure (foot washing) from Jesus?”

How could the Maker of the world stoop down and wash His creations’ feet?

Feet are personal.
If you don’t think so, try to touch somebody’s that you don’t know.
Or how would you react if they tried to touch yours?
Our natural reflex is to pull back… or kick.

Yet, it’s Maundy Thursday all over the world and that means it’s all about feet and feet washing. It’s the one day a year when churches roll out the basins and towels and people get to splashing.

Want to know where it comes from?

Day 38:
Look below or CLICK: JOHN 13:1-17

3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

PREVIOUSLY…

Jesus and His disciples are at the “Lord’s Supper” or the “Last Supper” just before the Passover Festival.

WHAT’S UP WITH THE PEDI?

Jesus, the GOD-Man, humbles Himself, wraps a towel around His waist and starts washing his disciples’ feet. When He is finished, He explains that He has done this as an example for them. If He, their Rabbi and Lord, could humble Himself and serve them, they also ought to be able to humble themselves and serve one another. Upside Down D! (Discipleship) for sure!

There’s an interesting conversation that takes place between Jesus and Peter. I like Peter. He just says what everyone else is thinking.

When Jesus goes to wash Peter’s feet, Peter says, “Are you kidding me? You, the LORD, are going to wash my feet????” (my interpretation).

And Jesus responds with a very curious message: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

That let’s us know that there is a whole lot more going on than the $80 Beverly Hills Gentleman’s Perfect Pedicure package.

In that entire dialogue with Peter, we understand that Jesus is not just talking about a clean body, though that’s a part, but he’s also referring to a clean soul. He cleans the hearts of man.

DO AS I DO

Then Jesus says, “Do as I do.”
In other words, “Follow me.”
If I can wash your feet, you can wash each other’s feet.

What if we all approached one another with this type of humility. It takes a lot to wash somebody’s feet, Fam. I’ve done it and I can say, there is nothing exalted about it.

Perhaps that’s why Jesus chose to do it. Think about it. He could’ve chosen any gesture to pass along to His disciples and the ages to come. He CHOSE foot washing. And then said, DO AS I DO. If I, the LORD, can wash feet, you can wash feet.

THE BLESSING

The last thing Jesus says is that there is a blessing if people do what He is telling them to do.

I can testify to that. There is nothing in our flesh that wants to get down in between somebody’s toes, but there is a spiritual blessing that occurs. When we serve others, our spirit is blessed.

Fam, this life that we have is a gift to be given away.
Jesus, who is God, came to serve.
If we profess to be His followers, than we too, have come to serve.

Now, that doesn’t mean we need to carry a mobile basin and start washing everybody’s feet we encounter. People are funny ’bout their feet.
And I don’t want you to get Karate-Kid-kicked in the head, OK?!

But it might be a good practice today, as we interact with people, to think to ourselves, “How can I serve her?” or “How can I serve him?”

How can we be of service to one another?
A little shift in mindset that could make a massive difference.

From Twinkle-Toes-in-La-La-Land,
Naima

RESPOND or SUBSCRIBE to BLOG below.
Facebook, Twitter

DAILY PRAYER (LENT):
1) Confession & Repentance – Let’s confess our wrongs and ask forgiveness
2) Complete transparency – Let our guard down and talk to God about our lives.
3) Listen – Let’s quiet and listen to God’s Spirit re: the scriptures, etc.
4) Intercession for others – Let’s pray for our family, friends, coworkers, church, etc.