Something to Ponder

It is the disciple John who tells us Jesus washed feet on Thursday.  None of the other gospel writers included this act in their narrative of the life of Jesus.  They all spoke of the meal and John spoke of the meal, but only to give the washing of feet context.  "And during supper Jesus....got up from the table...and began to wash the disciples' feet..."  (John 13:2-5)   It should not surprise us that John would be the only one who would remember this moment and write about it.  To read his gospel is to know that he was a different breed of disciple.  He led with his heart which is to say that he was not one who required a well thought out decision to act.  It was his heart which caused him to respond as he did to the things which were happeing around him.     

John seems to see things others either missed, or simply chose not to tell.  His stories are rich with character portrayals, but also filled with the stories not written, the ones between the lines, the ones many missed because they only are looking at the obvious.  John saw what others did not see.  He felt what others were too busy to notice.  He creates images and symbols for us to see in a way unlike any other gospel writer.   It is obvious from his letters to the church that the prime directive of his life was deep seated love.  This, too, speaks of a man who is led to live his life by his heart.  

It is a good thing for us to remember this story told only by John on this holy Thursday, but, perhaps, more important than just reading it, is pondering it.  Maybe we should read of Jesus washing feet not for the information, but as something to sit with a spell.  Maybe we should sit with it until we can feel the cold water touching our feet, the rough hands of Jesus wiping them clean, and the salty tears running down our face.  Maybe then, what John wanted to happen with the telling of this story will truly happen.