Several nights ago a darkness stole over my spirit. Admittedly, being all too familiar with this heavy feeling, I nonetheless allowed its seemingly inescapable, nearly imperceptible narrowing of my eyes, as I began seeing through a filmy and scurrilously critical lens. A wrong needed righting. A culprit needed correcting. A stance needed taking. A hill needed conquering.

It had been a while since the Bleakness visited. Thankfully.

Its long-time absence had done nothing to weaken its power, however, and before much time passed, I, fully involved in its grip, began feasting on the righteous indignation that comes when there’s no doubt of having been wronged. Or worse, a loved one having been wronged. Ahhh, cheerless, vindictive, and holy righteousness — an intrusive acid that eats away a soul faster than it would take to pour the real liquid thing over whatever you wished to destroy.

“Mercy,” says I.

“Jesus, help,” asks I.

Do not fear, dear ones, the whole scene passed in a short while, though I was unpleasant to live with apparently, and the only reason I even admit to you this rare visit from Bleakness, is to bolster you up in case it may also be an unwelcome visitor to you. Or to one you love.

The nuts and bolts of that particular night (if you’re even still with me) is that I ran (well, strode intentionally) to my old green chair in my office which is surrounded by all my needs Bible and book-wise. There are also pens, pencils, Kleenex, bookmarks, emery boards and nail polish and Lifesavers. It’s eclectic.

Here’s where the gentle discipline of the Lord took me: straight to the scene of the Last Supper in the Gospel of John. Jesus had every human right to be visited by Bleakness. His betrayal was upon Him. His disciples were not prepared to withstand what they would be facing in the next few days and would not only symbolically but even physically turn their backs to Him. One would carve the eventual pathway to the Cross.

And what was Jesus’ reaction? Some of you may know. No spoilers for those who might not. Read the scripture, please.

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”

“No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”

Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”

Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

John 13:1-17 NLT

And so, sorrowful that I had allowed Bleakness in and an attitude that was less than loving take over, I asked the Lord to show me a new way. And since that night I have been washing peoples’ feet like it’s my job. Oh boy.

Not in person. I’m not ringing doorbells and causing 911 to be called. No. Usually I’m in my old green chair in my office or driving my car or doing housework. Seem’s there’s a backlog of folk I owe a humble footwashing.

And if you think I’m attempting humor, far from it.

As His followers, we are to emulate Him, serving one another in lowliness of heart and mind, seeking to build one another up in humility and love. Part of that humble service is to forgive one another. * 

It’s a Towel and Basin way of life. It’s the least we can do. And it’s what He asks of us. In all aspects of life.

These are troubling days, folks. Days that invite Bleakness. If you live in my country, the United States of America, you might find our name questionable. “United?” Far from it. No apologies for the tiny little soapbox here, but CAN WE GET A GRIP and TAKE A STEP BACK and LOOK AT OURSELVES and the WORDS WE SPEAK? Heavenly days! I read shocking statements from old friends, young friends, old family, young family, vague acquaintances and sometimes folks disguised as a leader. Today a person I’ve respected and admired wrote, “I will never forgive ______ if _____…” and it just took my breath away.

It’s too much. We’ve lost all sense of humility, reverence for what is holy all around us, and it’s just mind boggling. Darkness has run amok. The Bleakness has taken over. It’s nearly impossible to spot anyone running around with a Towel and Basin. Washing feet.

Are we like the disciples, ill prepared to face the next few days and weeks? I think it’s quite possible. The acrimony is astounding. But thanks be to God, we do have a choice as to our reaction. AS ALWAYS WE ARE NOT WITHOUT HOPE. And as always, I claim this without apology.

Jesus, as it states in the Gospel of John, “loved them [the disciples] to the very end,” 13:1. He did not lash out. He did not seek retribution. He knew the consequences and he knew the end of the story. Still, in humility He took up the Towel and Basin, washing feet as one of His last acts before being crucified.

So how does this translate to today? Go vote! Do it! In humility and thankfulness. And then wash someone’s feet on your way home . . . and after you get home . . . and before you say something from Bleakness instead of from the Holy. And do it again tomorrow (well, don’t vote again — that’s frowned upon). In the days Jesus walked this earth, stooping to wash feet was the lowliest possible act done by servants.

Friends, at the feet of Jesus take up your Towel and Basin.

Serve. Speak from the Holy.

Here’s a song. Chris Tomlin wrote this. Many singers and worship bands have covered it. This is a bilingual version done by the North Palm Church Worship Team. Straightforward. Clean. Speaks to humility.

Much love,

MM

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