Clean feet

After John 13:1-17

To wash the feet of another

is an act of humility, an act

of service, an act of servanthood,

recognizing that to lead 

is to serve, to wash the feet

is to disregard 

where the feet have been,

the feet encrusted 

with dirt and mud and filth

from the walking, the journey.

To wash the feet is 

to ignore the calluses and 

scars and deadened skin.

To wash the feet is

to accept those feet,

that heart, that soul,

touching those feet

with eternity.

Photograph by Cristian Newman via Unsplash. Used with permission.

A bowl of water

After John 13:1-17

A simple thing, this bowl,

filled with water.

A simple act, to wash

feet dirty from the dust

of travel and walking,

A simple statement, why

do you do this, implied

if not explicit.

A simple outburst, I will

wash your feet instead.

A simple response,

you must allow me,

if you are part of me.

All simple yet not,

understanding not

grasped until explained,

a kind of parable 

of the master who washed

the feet of his slave.

Photograph by Tom Crew via Unsplash. Used with permission.