Recently I was looking over the story of Jesus washing the feet of his friends and followers (John 13).  I had put it aside since we started hosting these monthly basic-care foot clinics in Uptown in November.  I truly feel a lot of people who use this story in scripture to motivate their acts of service as well as organizations motivating volunteers, have adopted a perverted understanding of what Jesus was trying to say.  This has led me to prefer to talk about the town whore who was so grateful for Jesus' acceptance that she humiliated herself when I train our volunteers for Sole Care.  Plus it's way more fun to say, "you're not Jesus, you're the town harlot".

As I got up the guts to reexamine this story, I was actually encouraged.  There is great hope if we can stomach what is really going on.  To be honest, after this weekend's Sole Care, I'm not sure I can fully stomach what Jesus did.  It's pretty simple actually.  

But first, let me paint a raw depiction of how I think we have allowed this story to be twisted and used as means to objectify both the poor and vulnerable as well as the rich and vulnerable to make successful service projects, to write great blogs, to take powerful photos and ultimately to build successful organizations that profit from it all.

Jesus: "I realize your feet are caked with dirt and dung from following me on foot mile after after mile over the last 3 years.  I know your callouses are thick from the journey.  I realize your scrapes and bruises might be tender.  But don't worry - I won't scrub too hard!  In fact, I'm just gonna drizzle this water and try to stay away from the real dirty parts - after all, I've just go this one towel for everyone and I don't want to get it too dirty.

Do you see what I am doing here?  Let me explain.  You are lowly, helpless and basically pathetic.  And me?  Well, I am God.  I'm setting this example so you will go and be like me.  Go to those you think are below you, that you think are in need of your help and assistance and make sure they know what a big deal it is that you are humbling yourself to help them.  Then help them in the most ceremonial way you can imagine (use candles and music if you can - oh and make sure to take LOTS of pictures!) but try not to go overboard.  Keep it simple and basic, I don't expect you to solve any problems, just to feel good at the end of the day! Be careful not to make too much eye contact or ask too many questions.  The people you are serving don't need that, just wash their feet and move on.  There's a lot of feet out there that need washing!  This is what it means to follow me."

I realize that's a little dramatized, but I challenge you to really measure your heart and your experiences beside it.  I know even as I type this I'm convicted that I'm not doing enough to protect my friends from being objectified as I build this non-profit that will enable me us to make a tremendous impact in their lives.  I'm also in danger of objectifying potential donors and volunteers.  Manipulation and objectifying each other makes us successful.

As I tried to look at this story with new eyes, influenced by the hundreds of feet I have witnessed scrubbed and cared for month after month, I saw something very different:

Imagine this, Jesus is sitting at dinner with his friends and followers.  He looks around the table, looks in each of their faces, remembering so many things from the last 3 years they had spent together, filled with so many emotions as he looked at each of them, from Peter to Judas.

He sure had invested a lot in these guys.  They had been through a lot together, and Jesus knew this was just the beginning for them, but in order to continue He would have to leave them.  Yikes.  They aren't ready.  They don't get it yet.  They are still asking stupid questions and most of them won't make it through the next 24 hours without some serious doubting and betrayal.

It's time for one last object lesson!  Maybe the light will finally go off for some of them!

Jesus realizes they are all sitting there with caked on dirt and dung from their day clinging to their feet.  For some reason the servants in that house hadn't washed their feet like they normally do.  Perfect!

Jesus grabs the wash basin and towel that everyone had seen sitting unused but chose to ignore since there was no one to facilitate the cleansing.  Jesus rolls up his sleeves and gets to work!  Here's what I imagine Jesus' inner monolog was like:

"PHEW!  John must have stepped into something REAL special!  Andrew's bunion is so bad it almost looks like he's growing a new big toe! Oh my! Bartholomew I didn't realize you were so ticklish!  Oh Philip.... that cut looks deep... I need to be really gentle as I scrub around there.  Peter... when will you understand? This is not a game that you win it's a lifestyle you choose. Peter, I'm fighting for you because I believe in you. You will get this one day! Judas.... dear Judas.... I know what you are about to do, but you are still a human created in the image of my Father.  Yes, I will dignify you by scrubbing between your toes, in fact, I'm gonna sneak in a little extra massage strokes because I do love you my friend. I do. I wish it didn't have to be like this."

I have no idea what Jesus was thinking as he was washing their feet that night, but I do know his point was this:

"Do not think you are ever above doing what needs to be done.  You will have power and influence in this world because of me, but if you get to the point where you think you are too good to clean up the mess, lend the hand, go the extra mile, dig a little deeper or contribute to the need - you don't get it.  But if you DO get this.... you will revolutionize the world."

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Yesterday we hosted the 6th monthly Uptown Sole Care where we provide basic foot-care to the community.  Most of our guests are homeless but many are housed in government facilities.  Some are service providers excited to feel rewarded for the hard work of managing shelters, doing security or preaching.  All come a little timid and leave with a smile on their face and joy in their hearts.

I hit a personal milestone with Sole Care yesterday.  Since our first Sole Care, I do not think I have washed a foot.  It became clear early on that we needed managerial skills to keep things organized and our guests feel like guests and not like objects.  So, I have enjoyed my role of manager and host!

Yesterday we were really low on volunteers; we were about half-staffed.  Near the end of the day I went ahead and took a guest, a friend of mine that I knew pretty well.  I won't get detailed, but let me say that I left that experience horrified.

Feet are disgusting.  Uptown Sole Care is disgusting.  It's down right horrific.  This is not some pansy opportunity to be like Jesus and sprinkle some water ceremonially on some feet and pat them dry.

Sole Care is also not a foot clinic.  The problems we see we are mostly powerless to fix.  We have a medical professional on hand to give some advice and refer serious problems to the appropriate care provider - but we just do basic care.  Soak, scrub, massage, clip, moisturize and paint!  That's it!

This act of dignity restoration is nasty.  But it is beautiful.  It's profound.  It's painful.  It changes us who take part.  All of us.  Givers and receivers.  It is an honor to be entrusted with someone's feet - these are intimate encounters.  Intimacy transforms us.

I cannot express the pride and awe I was filled with as I stood back after finishing the feet of my friend and took in what we've been doing for MONTHS.

This is a big deal.  Not because we are some super spiritual, Mother Terressa types that should be glorified and celebrated.  But because the trash is being taken out, the toilet is being plunged, the floor is being mopped, the unsexy and practical care of the poor is being facilitated. 

It is dignifying us all.

As I was typing this, this song came on Pandora and I wanted to share the lyrics in closing.  It fits. Painfully.

I hate all your show and pretense
the hypocrisy of your praise
the hypocrisy of your festivals
I hate all your show
Away with your noisy worship
Away with your noisy hymns
I stop up my ears when your singing ‘em
I hate all your show

Instead let there be a flood of justice
An endless procession of righteous living, living
Instead let there be a flood of justice
Instead of a show

your eyes are closed when you’re praying
you sing right along with the band
you shine up your shoes for services
but there’s blood on your hands
you turned your back on the homeless
and the ones that don’t fit in your plans
quit playing religion games
there’s blood on your hands

Ah! let’s argue this out
if your sins are blood red
let’s argue this out
you’ll be white as the clouds
let’s argue this out
quit fooling around

give love to the ones who can’t love at all
give hope to the ones who got no hope at all
stand up for the ones who can’t stand up at all
instead of a show
I hate all your show