Washing people's feet in Jesus' day was a task normally performed by a lowly house servant. Jesus used the foot washing to illustrate His attitude of humility and His willingness to serve not only His disciples, but all people.

Jesus washed Peter's feet even though He knew that Peter would deny Him just a few hours later.

Not only that, Jesus also washed the feet of the man who betrayed Him, Judas. During the foot washing Jesus said: "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you. For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, You are not all clean" (John 13:10-11).

Jesus washed the feet of all who have sinned even before they recognized that they were sinners: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).

It is obvious that we would be willing to wash the feet of our friends. What about enemies? Jesus tells us in this regard: "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:44-45).

Apparently there are some congregations where certain individuals make private arrangements with one another before the Passover to wash each other's feet. Instead of the random selection on Passover evening, symbolizing the willingness to wash anyone's feet, these individuals eliminate the possibility that they would be assigned to wash someone else's feet other than the person of their own choice.

The people who do this don't have any bad intention. But being mindful of the example Jesus gave us we should ask if there is someone whose feet we would not want to wash. That should not be the case, especially in the church of God.

How thankful we can be that Jesus isn't picky when it involves His willingness to wash feet. He is willing to serve everyone.

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!