Foot Washing

Reading the story of Jesus from the Scriptures: John 13:2-5 (NIV)

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 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.

There is a mountain of meaning behind this action.
The feet of those twelve men were caked with the dust of daily travels. The job of washing feet was reserved for the slave of the home. Yet, in striking fashion, Jesus - the one who spoke galaxies into existence - dons the towel of a poor slave and wipes the muddied feet of his friends.

What a display of love - a love that would bend as low as necessary to lift up, a love that would enter into the mess so it could make things once again clean. This is what Jesus not only does for us, but calls us to do for one another - love by serving and humbling ourselves.

As Bride and Groom enter into this new relationship, this action is more than a symbol. It is a vow to always remain in a humble position
- to lift up the other, even at great cost to itself. It is a reminder to love and serve like Jesus has so greatly loved and served us
- even and especially in the messes.