Journey Toward Understanding

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. John 1: 17-18 NIV

On February 11, 2024, a record number of people gathered around their TV sets to watch a couple of hours of commercials, better known as Super Bowl LVIII! Fifty-nine commercials aired costing about $7 million per thirty seconds of air time. In between the ads, CBS actually broadcasted a great game, even giving us an extra quarter of football. If you were watching only for the commercials I am sure you have a favorite. Can you ever forget Dina and Mita fighting Top Gun: Maverick Danny Ramirez for the last bag of Doritos Dinamita? Then there is the timeless action hero, Arnold Schwarzenegger trying to pronounce neighbor for State Farm with  Danny DeVito upstaging him at the end. The star-studded Dunkin’ commercial with Ben Affleck, Matt Damen, Tom Brady, Jack Harlow, Jennifer Lopez, and Fat Joe was top-notch entertainment, but, they left out the donuts.

The goal of any ad is to remember a product and end up buying, especially if you paid $7 million per 30 minutes. However, one little ad generated more controversy than the couple of minutes it aired. Some have condemned it as wasting money that could have been given to humanitarian causes, others have labeled it as heresy, folks on social media have mocked it, while others have claimed it was brilliant and creative, creating openings for gospel conversations. Whether you thought He Gets Us missed the mark, hit the mark or you don’t care, it has created a media buzz with over 700,000 people following up for more information.

In this season preparing for Easter, the ad reminds us of the real and powerful story that John captured and the difference it made for the disciples and leaves us a lasting lesson. Culturally, foot washing had been a mark of genuine hospitality for generations. As far back as Abraham, visitors were welcomed with food and rest. “Let a little water be brought and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree.” Gen 18:4

Hikers, farmers, construction workers, salespeople, and anyone standing all day on their feet can appreciate the exhilaration of finally taking off their shoes at the end of the day.  Generations of people have had to walk to where they were going, mostly on dusty roads. Arriving at their destination it must have been pure joy to be greeted with a pan of cold water. Since foot washing was a normal rhythm of life, why would any of the Gospel writers even mention it? Sure, it was defiantly scandalous when the unnamed woman crashed Simon’s party and washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and poured perfume on them (Luke 7:36-50) and eye-opening for Jesus’ disciples when Mary took a jar of expensive perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet. (John 12:1-8)

Yet what John recorded broke generations of protocol, cultural status, and religious hierarchy. Everyone knew and accepted the fact that servants washed feet, but never would the master stoop to such a lowly menial task. Yet, that was exactly what Jesus did that night. However, Jesus had a history of not always following protocol, regulations, or expectations. John records that Jesus got up from the meal table and put on a servant’s garment. (John 13:1-17) The disciples most likely would have understood if a broken, sinful woman washed Jesus’ feet out of gratitude or if a devoted follower of Jesus poured out her life savings on his feet out of devotion, but why would Jesus wash their feet?

Jesus took Peter’s feet and poured water over them out of love. Peter could be arrogant, maybe a bit brash, and a bit egotistical.

Jesus took John and James’ feet and poured water over them out of love. Both were status-conscious, jealous of others, and power-driven.

Jesus took Thomas’ feet and poured water over them out of love. Thomas questioned and had doubts.

Jesus took Andrew’s feet and poured water over them out of love. Andrew was the inquisitive one, the outside-the-box thinker, but timid when confronted.

Jesus took Judas’ feet and poured water over them out of love. Judas was the faithless one who cared more for money and power.

Jesus took each of his disciple’s feet and poured water over them out of love. Jesus told them that they would someday understand, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:15-17)

Jesus Gets Us because Jesus knows us. Jesus knew His disciples just as He knows us. Was his gentle touch upon their feet enough to stir a deep longing in their hearts? What were they thinking? Jesus talked with Peter but what about the others as he washed their feet?

Could Jesus have blessed them as he wiped their feet with his towel? My beloved Peter, you will be a leader of my church. My beloved John, you will finally understand the depth of real love and encourage others.  My beloved James, you will be strong in faith until the end. My beloved Andrew, keep asking questions but be bold. My beloved Thomas, let your doubts build your faith and witness. Oh Judas, would that you would resist evil.

“Everywhere Jesus went, he left behind pictures that showed us who God is. And what is the composite of those pictures? A God who sees and who cares. A God who listens and who speaks. Who touches and transforms. A God who calms the wind, stills the waves, and extends his hand to the sinking. A God who heals the sick and raises the dead. Who frees the prisoners, feeds the hungry, blesses the children. A God who came at the greatest personal cost to destroy the works of the devil.” (Ken Gire, The North Face of God, p187)

Jesus understands we are a broken people who, left to our own devices could break every commandment. Yet God extended mercy when we deserved punishment. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

God is great!