Washing of the Disciples’ Feet
John 13:1-15
So when he had washed their feet and put his garments back on and reclined at table again, he said to them, “Do you realize what I have done for you? You call me ‘teacher’ and ‘master,’ and rightly so, for indeed I am. If I, therefore, the master and teacher, have washed your feet,
you ought to wash one another’s feet. I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”
Why has Jesus done this now? The Apostles were to enjoy honor in the future. In order then that they may not exalt themselves one above the other, and say as they did before, “Who is the greatest” (Matt 18:1), nor be angry one against the other, He takes down the ambitions of them all, as though by saying, “although you may be very great, you ought to have no high thoughts towards your brother.” And He mentioned not the greater action, that “if I have washed the feet of the traitor, what great matter if you one another’s?” but having exemplified this by deeds, He then left it to the judgment of the spectators. Therefore He said, “Whosoever shall do and teach, the same shall be called great” (Matt 5:19); for in demonstrating is to teach.
What pride should this not remove? He who sits upon the Cherubim washed the feet of the traitor, and do you, O man, you that are dust, do you exalt yourself, and are you great? And how great a hell would you not deserve? If then you desire a true greatness, come, I will show you the way to it; for you don’t even know what it is. The man then who gives heed to the present things as being great, has a conceited soul. For as little children are eager for trifles but cannot even form an idea of important matters; so in this case, one who is truly wise, will deem present things as nothing, but he who is not of such a character will be intent upon cobwebs and shadows and dreams of things less substantial than these.
參考 References:
Homily 71 on the Gospel of John (St. John Chrysostom)