Washing Feet... Do You?
Throughout the annals of Christianity, there have been numerous figures who have been venerated for their leadership and vision. Among them, St. Basil the Great stands out. He became a beacon of leadership within the Church, a legacy through his letters. Not only through his own written thoughts, but through the writings of his contemporaries in Cappadocia and the input of his sister in her works. We have a decently clear picture of who St. Basil was and his enormous effect on the rest of Church History. As we are given insight into his life, modern disciples can glean much from his leadership, passion and influence on Christian doctrine and social service.
Living in Cappadocia, Basil was planted in a pivotal urban center within the Roman Empire, known for its strategic importance and marked by the transformative reign of Constantine. While transitioning from an era of persecution, Christianity became an official sanctioned religion, which was foundational for the Great Saint’s efforts. Throughout the trajectory of his life, there was influence from the Ascetic camp of Christianity, which was the movement which was born out of Christians’ attempt to combat complacency, challenging believers to deny worldly pleasures to focus on Jesus, study and do good works. Originally, this trend included a sense of isolation as well; which would be changed forever due to Basil’s influence. Other like-minded Christians began to congregate and started forming a community of ascetics, even as Basil attempted to be isolated. This would become the basis for more modern ideas of monasticism, communities of people desiring to deny themselves and seek Jesus. Obviously there were instances where even that desire was not executed well.
Later on in his life, Basil would become the Bishop of Caesarea, which allowed him to use his influence to fight against Arianism (a heretical belief about the trinity that puts Jesus as lower than God the Father), to encourage churches to perform acts of service to the needy and gave him the resources to personally serve others in dire situations. He encouraged leaders and churches to give of themselves in sacrificial love with compassion and on several occasions, led by example. He gave of personal finances and refused riches to turn it into resources to help the poor. That was the kind of man St. Basil was, not a man demanding sainthood, but a man asking the church to be the church; to be like Jesus.
In one of his writings to church leaders, he asked the question, “whose feet will you wash” referencing John 13:4-5. This is a question I would like to pose to us as a question to ponder even today. Some of us have read this passage and story, even seen pastors preach on this with the visual display of washing someone’s feet. But have we asked the question, “whose feet will I wash today?” Before you spend too much time thinking about that question, look at the story in John 13, read it and dwell on some of the details. It is okay, I’ll give you time to read and explore the narrative…
One detail we know very well is, WHO is washing the feet… and to some degree we understand why Peter would go on to refuse such self-humiliating service from his Rabbi and leader. Jesus kneeling before his students’ dung and dust covered feet can really paint a picture in one’s mind. I want you to read the passage again… picture how John describes this event. Jesus, the miracle working Rabbi who has turned the world, as was known, on its head. This wonderful man from Nazareth, who called a group of 12 strangers by name to follow him and called them to participate in such wonderful things. This teacher has made some bold claims but carried such authority that those bold claims could not be taken lightly. He is the one who takes on the task reserved for the lowest of servants. He is the one who washes away their dirt and grime. He is the one to dry their feet then get up and repeat the process eleven more times. Picture the confused looks on the men’s faces and imagine their attempts to refuse the act. Peter was the one who was recorded denying having his feet washed, but we should consider the others put up their own resistance. As Jesus finishes the last set of feet, he wipes the sweat from his brow, dries his hands on the towel he had been using, and cleans up the equipment.
What kind of Lord would lower himself to such a place? What kind of person would do that?
Well, we know quite well that Jesus is that kind of Lord-
From this passage we observe 3 things about Jesus.
Jesus knew who he was, Jesus knew what he had to do--- We know who we are (or we should) we know how much Jesus had to sacrifice for our own sins (let alone the sins of the entire world for all time). This knowledge should bring us to a better place of humility to emulate and display the heart of Jesus toward all people. Jesus did not just wash our feet but gave of himself to wash us clean by his blood. In this way we, like Basil, have to give of ourselves also.
There are just not enough basins, towels, willing hands, or water to do the work. So, my charge, which matches Basil’s throughout many of his writings, is to find ways to be those hands… Find what your local Church community needs… find those who are doing the work and come alongside them. We who know Jesus, ought to have the same heartbeat as him and emulate his humility. If he can leave his throne, kneel and serve others; we can leave our homes aswell to “wash feet” and serve.
Basil, as he was writing the Asketikon and speaking to the ascetic individualist wrote, “Whose feet will you wash? For whom will you perform the duties of care?”
Church, follower of Jesus, those who Know the one who washed you clean…
Whose feet will you wash?
Living in Cappadocia, Basil was planted in a pivotal urban center within the Roman Empire, known for its strategic importance and marked by the transformative reign of Constantine. While transitioning from an era of persecution, Christianity became an official sanctioned religion, which was foundational for the Great Saint’s efforts. Throughout the trajectory of his life, there was influence from the Ascetic camp of Christianity, which was the movement which was born out of Christians’ attempt to combat complacency, challenging believers to deny worldly pleasures to focus on Jesus, study and do good works. Originally, this trend included a sense of isolation as well; which would be changed forever due to Basil’s influence. Other like-minded Christians began to congregate and started forming a community of ascetics, even as Basil attempted to be isolated. This would become the basis for more modern ideas of monasticism, communities of people desiring to deny themselves and seek Jesus. Obviously there were instances where even that desire was not executed well.
Later on in his life, Basil would become the Bishop of Caesarea, which allowed him to use his influence to fight against Arianism (a heretical belief about the trinity that puts Jesus as lower than God the Father), to encourage churches to perform acts of service to the needy and gave him the resources to personally serve others in dire situations. He encouraged leaders and churches to give of themselves in sacrificial love with compassion and on several occasions, led by example. He gave of personal finances and refused riches to turn it into resources to help the poor. That was the kind of man St. Basil was, not a man demanding sainthood, but a man asking the church to be the church; to be like Jesus.
In one of his writings to church leaders, he asked the question, “whose feet will you wash” referencing John 13:4-5. This is a question I would like to pose to us as a question to ponder even today. Some of us have read this passage and story, even seen pastors preach on this with the visual display of washing someone’s feet. But have we asked the question, “whose feet will I wash today?” Before you spend too much time thinking about that question, look at the story in John 13, read it and dwell on some of the details. It is okay, I’ll give you time to read and explore the narrative…
One detail we know very well is, WHO is washing the feet… and to some degree we understand why Peter would go on to refuse such self-humiliating service from his Rabbi and leader. Jesus kneeling before his students’ dung and dust covered feet can really paint a picture in one’s mind. I want you to read the passage again… picture how John describes this event. Jesus, the miracle working Rabbi who has turned the world, as was known, on its head. This wonderful man from Nazareth, who called a group of 12 strangers by name to follow him and called them to participate in such wonderful things. This teacher has made some bold claims but carried such authority that those bold claims could not be taken lightly. He is the one who takes on the task reserved for the lowest of servants. He is the one who washes away their dirt and grime. He is the one to dry their feet then get up and repeat the process eleven more times. Picture the confused looks on the men’s faces and imagine their attempts to refuse the act. Peter was the one who was recorded denying having his feet washed, but we should consider the others put up their own resistance. As Jesus finishes the last set of feet, he wipes the sweat from his brow, dries his hands on the towel he had been using, and cleans up the equipment.
What kind of Lord would lower himself to such a place? What kind of person would do that?
Well, we know quite well that Jesus is that kind of Lord-
From this passage we observe 3 things about Jesus.
- We are made aware of his HEART to serve his disciples in such a way.
- We know that he, as Philippians 2 v7 covers, “emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant…” He desired to take on flesh, to show up as a servant while he set aside, like his outer garments, his glory. This willingness to limit himself from who he fully is demonstrates to us an impossible example to follow. But something we can strive for, something that can be worked within our hearts to do.
- We can see so clearly his HUMILITY
- Verse 7 in Phil. 2 shows this, while v8 explicitly states it. “… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-----” Humility is extremely important here, as it is the physical act of humility that is on display as he washes the feet of his disciples. This whole scene is, in a way, a typology of what Christ will end up doing on the cross. He is stripped of his clothing, is nailed to the cross, in the ultimate act of service for his followers; taking on their sin and washing them wholly.
- Finally, the narrator makes us aware of Christ’s Knowledge.
- He knew who he was, where he was from and where he would be going. This is important because this informs his Humility and magnifies his Heart. He was aware of what he was truly owed, he deserved to have his disciples kneeling before him. He deserved the treatment he was giving them. John is emphasizing the fact that Jesus was not the innocent victim of some grand scheme or that he was caught unaware. Jesus was fully aware of his authority, his origin, and the eventual work that he would do. He knew he had to act, assume humiliation, reveal his Heart and share his knowledge of what would be required of them moving forward- IF- the 12 were going to be successful in bringing the message of the Gospel.
Jesus knew who he was, Jesus knew what he had to do--- We know who we are (or we should) we know how much Jesus had to sacrifice for our own sins (let alone the sins of the entire world for all time). This knowledge should bring us to a better place of humility to emulate and display the heart of Jesus toward all people. Jesus did not just wash our feet but gave of himself to wash us clean by his blood. In this way we, like Basil, have to give of ourselves also.
There are just not enough basins, towels, willing hands, or water to do the work. So, my charge, which matches Basil’s throughout many of his writings, is to find ways to be those hands… Find what your local Church community needs… find those who are doing the work and come alongside them. We who know Jesus, ought to have the same heartbeat as him and emulate his humility. If he can leave his throne, kneel and serve others; we can leave our homes aswell to “wash feet” and serve.
Basil, as he was writing the Asketikon and speaking to the ascetic individualist wrote, “Whose feet will you wash? For whom will you perform the duties of care?”
Church, follower of Jesus, those who Know the one who washed you clean…
Whose feet will you wash?
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