“And during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from supper, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him….
“When he had gone out, Jesus said…. ‘I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.’”
– John 13:2b-5, 31a, and 34 (NRSVue)
Activity
A key activity during the traditional Church of the Brethren love feast, usually held on the Thursday evening of Holy Week, is the washing of feet—or hands for those who need the accommodation. People literally follow Jesus, remembering how Jesus ate his last supper with the disciples and washed their feet as a symbol of his love. At love feast, as the congregation washes feet and/or hands, they extend that love to each other.
The next time you wash your hands, imagine taking someone else’s hands in yours and let the water run over them as a symbol of the love of Jesus Christ poured out for you both—and the whole world.