Loving Judas: Wash Their Feet

Going into this series, I always wanted to establish the mindset that the topic of loving your enemy and loving those who have hurt you is not easy. Everyone has experienced someone disappointing them and hurting them. We have different reactions, as it may take some of us longer to get over it than others. I wanted us to agree that we share a common struggle.

So if you are still dealing with the hurt and disappointment, how can you have a mindset of humility before them?

In John 13, Jesus does the unthinkable- He washes the disciples' feet. During this time, people would walk through dirty and dusty areas. They would walk by lots of animal waste and lots of trash. Their feet were filthy. If you were to wash their feet, you would likely struggle because of how nasty they were. Washing someone's feet during this time was the job of someone of a lower standard.

Jesus not only talked about servant leadership, but He also showed it. His sacrificial love and servant leadership standards are higher than how the world sees humanity. The High King of Heaven became one of the lowest standards of people on earth for His disciples. Jesus washed the disciples' feet to remind us to remain humble and offer sacrificial love for others.

He washed all the disciples' feet, including those of Judas. Jesus, knowing what Judas was going to do to Him, focused on love, service, and humility to him while Judas plotted his betrayal. Jesus got down on the level of Judas's feet, looking up at the man who would soon turn Him in to the authorities. Jesus washed the dirty feet of a man with a filthy heart. Why? Jesus loved Judas more than Judas loved his sin.

Your enemies know what they are doing to you. They plot your destruction and await your pain. How do you humble yourself before your enemies? You remember that you were once an enemy of Jesus while He served you. Every day we turn to the filthiness of sin while Jesus waits to clean our dirty hearts. You model His example and offer a mindset of humility, service, and sacrificial love to everyone, including your enemies.

Your heart was once filthy until you offered it in forgiveness to God. A new creation should no longer be contaminated by bitterness and anger because Jesus cleansed it and replaced it with sacrificial love and humility. Has your heart been cleansed?

References: NIV Application Study Bible, Bible Ref, Enduring Word