Many years ago in another life, a bunch of us gathered at the top of a mushroom to have our feet washed by our chaplain. It was awkward, strange and, frankly, left me wondering what the heck was going on…

It’s almost like foot washing as some sort of rite of passage for Christian leaders:

“To be a true leader, you must humble yourself and wash the feet of those under you – just like Jesus”.

While I’m being a bit sarcastic – there is a ring of true in that comment… (check out Wikipedia – there are groups who literally use foot washing as a sign of ordinance)

Now imagine my reaction when I was told that Sunday’s sermon was to be about John 13 and, oh by the way, would I volunteer to have my feet washed as an illustration?

(insert awkward pause here)

After overcome the sticker shock, I voiced my discontent with the whole “foot washing” idea – noting, in my defense, how cultures have changed and how this particular action no longer held the same message as it did during the 1st century.[@more@]

*smile* The response given was pretty good in that he agreed that most of the “talk” about Jesus’ foot washing action was simply "surface level".

He then pulled a fast one on me and brought in 1 Josh 5:

This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood.

The washing of the Twelve’s feet was more then just a leader humbling himself, it was an act of purification by water in advance of the purification by blood.

Think about it – Jesus is getting ready to die. This is His last evening together with his disciples before their greatest trial – and he washes their feet… If this was simply a lesson in being a servant leader, it was a poor one.

I mean – come on – Jesus just spend three years with these guys, if they didn’t get the whole servant leadership humility thing before hand, I doubt a simple foot washing would do the trick!!

Yet, if looked at through the purification by water lens…hmm…that brings a new light to the comment Jesus makes about being “clean”.  I know that the priests of old had to purify themselves with water before entering the Holy of Holies…maybe this action was somehow connected…

I don’t know… I will see what happens during the sermon tomorrow – weather the pastor develops the “purification by water” theme or if he says with the “servant leadership” theme.

They are both there – which one will he pick?