“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” Romans 10:15c NAS

There is a certain humility when one is barefoot. It is Asian custom when entering a house or a place of worship, to remove one’s shoes. This simple daily ritual would become probably the greatest teaching point of Jesus’ time with His disciples. His longest recorded conversation in the Bible was on His final evening with them, before He would be taken away and crucified. He knew this. They did not.

For three years, they had seen Him perform wonders: turning water into wine, multiplying bread and fish enough to feed a multitude. They had seen Him heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons and even raise the dead. They had seen Him walk on water. Their faith should have been strong. And yet…

Still they bickered who would get the highest honors in heaven; who would sit at His side in eternity. They scolded one another for forgetting to bring bread along when He warned them to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. Sometimes they seemed to miss the point all together. And this night, was going to be the last time Jesus could meet with His beloved disciples, on this side of normal; tomorrow, it would all be changed.

It was important the things He wanted to give them, to impart into a place so deep inside of them, it would endure the years ahead. He needed to get their attention.

And so, it says, He took off his robes, wrapped in a simple cloth, and knelt down before each and every one of them to wash their feet. Some protested. But, He insisted, even saying if they did not permit it, they could have no part in following Him. Then, He told them to go and do likewise. He changed their lives forever that night, when they were barefoot before Him. And then, they went out and changed their world forever.

~ Debbie Ecker