If you watched the Superbowl a few weeks ago, or have heard anything about it, you might know this short phrase from an ad that ran during the game. With a several millions or more invested in every commercial, you know that those who put this ad up intended to put Jesus into the minds of every avid football fan who watched that night. As a member of the Church of God (Anderson), you might also be pleased to know that foot-washing featured prominently in this ad, depicting several oppressed persons having their feet washed by those of privilege. The ad intended to share that Jesus came to wash feet, and so we as Christians (his followers) must also wash the feet of others. This would have been an introduction to the ministry of Christ to the masses who may have heard of it, but had no context for “feet-washing”.
Let’s leave aside the rather vague impression this gives of Jesus and His work for our benefit (the cross, the resurrection) and look at the message itself. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet in John 13, an act that He says, (Joh 13:14) “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” At the very least, Jesus intends for disciples to wash each other’s feet, just as we do on Maundy Thursday every year. This is a hallmark of who we are as the Church of God. And should others visit on that particular night, we would also wash their feet without question. Jesus humbled Himself before the disciples. He taught that as His disciples, we are not too good to wash one another’s feet. It seems to me that it is this attitude of humility that Jesus was trying to convey to them, lest we fall into conceit.
However, the ad and its message fall short. What message of Jesus is being demonstrated? How does separating people of “position” being humble from people of “oppression” teach that Jesus “gets [all of] us”? The ad teaches three lies.
The first is that it seems to say that Jesus associates with people of position rather than oppression, which is exactly the opposite of the Bible’s message. (e.g., Psa 72:4, “He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.”; Jas 2:5, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”)
And second, the Christian privileged by nature oppress the non-Christian, simply because they are Christian. For me, this is insulting, because it tells me that as a Christian I just need to shut up and wash feet, rather than make someone feel bad about their sins and need for a Savior. The world wants the benefit of Christian service without the gospel of Christ. Jesus was making a point when he washed feet, and so should we.
Third, you don’t need to change to follow Jesus. The implied sins (of the oppressed ) in the ad, the pro-abortion, homosexuality, and race hatred, are all receiving the washing of feet, without any indication of life change. Their message seems to say, “Jesus accepts you just as you are, by washing your feet, you don’t need to change”, without any hint that Jesus must wash our filthy robes with His blood from wickedness to His righteousness (2 Cor 7:1; 1 Jn 1:9; Rev. 22:14). Yes, Jesus loves you as you are, but that is only half the truth. And that half by itself is misleading. This world will not be saved by half-measures.
The Road to Jerusalem changes us. We begin the journey as sinners, but the humility of the Savior changes who we are so that we would be more like Him.
Meritt Musings 