Washing Jesus’ Feet

“Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” John 13:5, NAS.

I enjoy the medical ministry here in Ban Dtum, Thailand, but I must say that there are days when I get weary of cleaning wounds. One particular week this month, there were a lot of feet to treat! I recall cleaning a man’s very foul smelling, gangrenous foot. I was a little overwhelmed at the task, and I sent up a silent, “God, do I really have to wash feet?”

As soon as I said it, it hit me! Jesus had washed the disciple’s feet. And I have a little better understanding now of what that means. In America, everyone has really clean feet. Granted, they may not all smell that great, but generally they are pretty clean. Not so in Thailand, especially in Ban Dtum. Here everyone wears flip flops or goes bare foot. It is really dirty as most of the roads are dirt. There aren’t many bathrooms, so sewage abounds. And, there are cattle and water buffalo walking freely. You get the picture. All this makes for some pretty dirty feet.

Can you imagine the King of the Universe washing smelly feet? That is exactly what He did! So, I was immediately contrite for my attitude. But God wasn’t finished making His point. As I continued to wash that gangrenous foot, I got the next message. “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matthew 25:40, KJV).” Wow! I was washing Jesus’ feet! That was awesome! I got a big smile on my face and continued the task a little more eagerly and definitely with more joy.

Pray that:

Believers serving in medical and other relief ministries in the Pacific Rim will have joy in working with “the least of these.”

Loving acts of compassion in the Pacific Rim will open hearts for the accompanying presentation of the Gospel.

God will call many Kui people to saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.