Genesis 18:1-5
The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them and bowed down to the ground. He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” Genesis 18:1-5 (NSVRUE)
My wife and I are flying to London where we are meeting up with four wonderful lifelong friends to celebrate our anniversaries and spend some focused time together. We plan to attend a communion service on a Sunday morning at St. Paul’s Cathedral in our quest to explore much of what London has to offer. After the long day of overnight travel however, high on my priority list will first be a shower to get clean before heading out for the rest of the day. I’ll be looking to not only wash my feet, but enjoy the water washing me from head to toe. Even though I’ll likely feel physically clean when I’m done, will I truly be clean?
Passages involving washing of feet are shared on different occasions in the Bible. In today’s reading from Genesis, it is Abraham who is showing humble servitude toward God as he offers a chance for the three to wash their feet, while also giving them food and a place to rest. In Sunday’s Gospel lesson from John 13, Jesus was washing the feet of his disciples before being crucified on the cross. His conversation with the disciples foretold of the betrayal to come, for it wasn’t a lack of clean feet, but lack of a clean heart and mind that would lead to his betrayal.
I immediately think of singing these words growing up in church from Psalm 51: 10-11. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Like Abraham, we are turning to God to be saved, asking our Lord to help and guide us from our sinful ways. As our group experiences worshiping abroad in such a beautiful setting, may we find time to reflect on the cleanliness of our own hearts and minds, giving thanks and praise to God for all he has provided. Amen
Questions for Reflection:
- Do your words and deeds reflect the teachings of God?
- How does it make you feel when you serve others in Jesus' name?
Prayer
Dear Lord,
May our daily decisions be a positive reflection of your word. Guide us to be servants in the world. For only you can make us truly clean.
Amen
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