In our gospel readings for the Second Sunday in Lent, Jesus performs a task of shocking humility, a task usually done by the lowest servant in the household – washing the feet of his disciples. Peter has a rough time accepting this, and assumes the important part of this event is the washing itself. But what Jesus really accomplishes by washing the disciples' feet, is to prepare them for when he performs an even more humble task for humanity – dying on the cross as a criminal, to bring about their salvation....
The progression is like a boomerang. You start off as an infant in your mother's arms, unable to do anything for yourself, including controlling body functions. And you joyfully and eagerly move on to crawling, walking with a walker, cruising furniture, walking steady on your own, followed quickly by sprinting. You start off in the passenger seat, and you joyfully and eagerly move on to effortlessly piloting a vehicle at 140 110 km/h down the highway. If you're lucky, you will have 60 or 70 years at this, your prime. But eventually, the spinning boomerang reverses course. And grudgingly, oh so grudgingly, you relinquish control over your vehicle, your sense of balance, and your control over body functions. After a lifetime of independence and service, you are back to helpless like an infant. It is very, VERY hard to accept.
Peter, in our readings today, considered himself in the prime of his spiritual life. He had been hand-chosen by Jesus as a disciple, and had spent three years absorbing Jesus' teachings. He was a shoo-in for the second-in-command slot in Jesus' org chart. He was the closest thing Jesus had to a partner in ministry.
So, why then would Jesus want to treat him like a helpless infant? Jesus, the Teacher and Lord, insists on washing Peter's feet. “No chance!” says Peter, “that will never happen. It is beneath you, and I can wash my own feet, thank you. You are here to do something great, not something menial like this!” Jesus insists further, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” “Oh,” thinks Peter, “it's some kind of divine, supernatural washing.” “Jesus, please clean all of me,” he says. But, no – it is the simple one-time removal of the dust of Jerusalem roads from his disciples' feet, performed by the Lord of the Universe, in total humility.
And later, once Judas is dismissed and the events of Jesus crucifixion are set in motion, Peter is ready to go wherever Jesus goes. But Jesus says no. And like a petulant child, Peter says, “why not? I AM old enough, I AM ready, I AM in my prime. My devotion has never been stronger, my courage has never been greater, I am ready to go to death with you.” Jesus says, no you're not. In the spiritual realm, you are much closer to a helpless infant than you would like to think.
When times are going well, we like to imagine ourselves at our spiritual prime as well. Resisting minor temptations, expressing love in non-sacrificial ways, agreeing with the teachings of Jesus – we are ready for the big leagues, ready to make a massive impact for the kingdom of God. These are very dangerous times for us, like a five year old with car keys! Because here are the promises Jesus gives to his disciples in our fourth reading today, promises to disciples that spent three years with Jesus in the flesh: “If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. I will not leave you orphaned. My Father and I will come to you and make our home with you.” Jesus expects his disciples to be closer to helpless infants than they would like to think. And no matter how hard it is to accept, that is the way we should consider ourselves, needing all the help from Jesus we can possibly ask for....
Humility was the point of Jesus' foot washing exercise – to show the disciples that even Jesus himself was willing to do the most menial service, so that they should be willing to perform menial service as well. But the foot washing exercise was also to help the disciples interpret Jesus' NEXT humble, degrading task – to allow himself to be crucified at the hands of humans as a criminal. Jesus showed willingness to do both, to do whatever is necessary for his disciples, so that they may be saved. And Jesus will continue to do whatever is necessary for his disciples – providing the Holy Spirit, abiding within, answering prayer....responding to betrayal with grace.
In this willingness to serve us and die for us, Jesus shows us the heart of the Father. And the Father's heart is to live with us forever. He shows us the plan through the resurrection of Jesus - “because I live, you also will live.” And he guides us with the way, truth, and life of the Son he sent.
Gracious God, we thank you for the love you have shown us through the service and sacrifice of your Son Jesus Christ. Help us remain humble, willing to receive your kingdom as a little child, and be of service to our brothers and sisters, in Jesus' name, amen.