Stage 1: Getting To Know Jesus Stage 1: Getting To Know Jesus Stage 1: Getting To Know Jesus
Episode 6: Jesus’ Idea of Justice
It had been a little over three years since Jesus asked Peter to “Come, follow me.” Peter had seen some crazy things, but nothing like he had seen in recent days. Jesus had literally raised a man named Lazarus back from the dead. As he walked to Jerusalem with Jesus and the other disciples for the yearly Jewish holiday Passover, he replayed past events in his mind. He witnessed the miracles: the healing of the sick, feeding the crowds with just a few fish and bread, the calming of the sea, and now the raising of the dead. Peter heard every story that Jesus told. He had private conversations with Jesus that he would never forget. Lest he not forget when he walked on the water to Jesus. This was no mere man; this was the Son of God.
When they reached the house where they would be celebrating the Passover, Jesus went ahead of them. Peter thought that Jesus was getting one of the owner’s servants to wash the feet of the weary travelers, as they had walked for a couple of hours on the dusty road, and their feet were filthy.
You may be thinking, “Why would he get someone to wash their feet? Can’t they wash it themselves? I am not touching someone’s feet.” Sure, washing someone’s feet is weird now because it is not part of our modern culture, but take off the 21st-century Western goggles for a second. In Peter’s Day, many people traveled on foot in sandals or barefoot. The roads were mostly dirt, and it left their feet caked with mud or dust. When a traveler arrived at their intended location, a host often brought a pitcher of water and a cloth to wash the feet of their guests. It was a sign of welcome and kindness to their friends and kept their home clean. Most of the time, in the homes of the wealthy, the actual foot washing was done by a servant or a slave.
As Peter walked into the house, what he saw next was something that stopped him dead in his tracks. Jesus was in the position of a servant, ready to wash his feet. He thought, “the Son of God is now going to wash my feet? This is a servant’s job, not his. This isn’t right.”
But it was right! The act aimed to show the disciples how they should treat one another. Jesus was putting the disciples’ needs in front of his own. He, the Son of God, lowered himself to the position of a servant.
After Jesus washed their feet, he said,
"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."
What in the world does this have to do with justice? The popular term today is “social justice.” Dictionary.com defines social justice as fair treatment of all people in a society, including respect for the rights of minorities and equitable distribution of resources among members of a community.
Look a little closer. Jesus’ idea of where justice starts is found in washing his disciples' feet. Jesus bent down and placed himself lower than his disciples and served them. HUMILITY! Justice does not start in a courtroom or by passing more laws. According to Jesus, justice starts with putting others before yourself.
There are so many issues in today’s world. Hatred is everywhere. Everything and everyone is divided. Wars, protests, crime, and we will not even get into the day's political issues. Everywhere we look, people are struggling. Life isn’t fair. “How can anyone make a difference with everything that is going on? What would Jesus do to fight all the injustice in the world.” His actions in this story, and what you will read in the next episode, show us where justice starts. It starts with how we treat the people around us.
So, what if we took the words and actions of Jesus seriously? What if we put others’ needs before our own? What if you loved how Jesus said to love? So, what if we took the words and actions of Jesus seriously? What if we put others’ needs before our own? What if you loved how Jesus said to love? So, what if we took the words and actions of Jesus seriously? What if we put others’ needs before our own? What if you loved how Jesus said to love?
"Love your neighbor as yourself."?
“Who is my neighbor?” EVERYONE! Not just the people in our “little world” or the ones with whom we have something in common. “My neighbor” also includes the ones we don’t notice, value, or even welcome.
Scripture References: Luke 10:25-37, John 13:1-17
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