John 13.31-35: As I Have Loved You

A new commandment I give you, Jesus said on the night of his arrest. That you love one another as I have loved you (John 13:34). On the same evening that Jesus made this statement he had demonstrated his love of the disciples by offering a gesture of hospitality. Because no one had offered to wash the dust from the feet of the travelers, Jesus did it himself. He even called attention to the act saying in verse 13: You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. It's almost the same language as verse 34. Jesus has set an example that we are to follow.

Scottish painter David Wilkie lived in Rome in 1827. Among the scenes of devotion that he witnessed (and painted) were the women - particularly upper-class women...and the occasional grand courtesan who snuck in - who undertook the practice of hospitality in the form of washing the feet of pilgrims. From earliest times, pilgrims traveled to Rome, especially in Jubilee years. By the middle of the 15th century, more than 1,000 inns and places of lodging for visitors were available in Rome. Religious organizations became more involved in caring for visitors. Women, richly dressed as shown here, knelt at the feet of pilgrims and washed their feet.

David Wilkie. A Roman Princess Washing the Feet of Pilgrims. 1827. Royal Collection Trust.

Jesus' act of humble service was re-enacted almost from the earliest days of Christ's church. I Timothy 5:9-10 highlighted this particular act of service as exemplary: Let a widow be put on the list if she is not less than sixty years old and has been married only once; she must be well attested for her good works, as one who has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to doing good in every way. Though never named a sacrament, the practice of footwashing was a regular occurrence in churches on Maundy Thursday.

As with so many acts of faith and devotion, the practice of footwashing can be both an act of humility and an act of pride. Undertaken as an act of service, it provides a moment of tenderness and care for one of God's children. But, of course, it can also be a travesty when the footwashing is preceded and/or followed by a lack of concern for the one whose feet have just been washed. Love one another as I have loved you, Jesus said. Remember, Jesus washed Judas' feet, too. 

This week on Art&Faith Matters on Facebook...how closely should a pattern be followed? See it here.  For thoughts on Acts 11:1-8, click here. 

John 13.1-17: Except for the Feet

Peter, of course, is the disciple at the center of the story in John 13:1-17, the reading for Thursday of Holy Week. Jesus scandalizes the disciples by performing an act of servitude. The scandal wasn't just on that night. Artists have apparently had difficulty showing Jesus in such a humble position. 

The Gospel Book of Otto III includes a typical medieval depiction of the story. Taking place against a gold background (which usually symbolizes a removal from reality), the story unfolds with Peter's foot in a bowl of water while Christ, whose figure is taller than all the disciples, merely gestures at the water. Christ may be teaching, may be blessing Peter, but he is not washing the disciple's foot.

Artist unknown. Gospel Book of Otto III. c. 1000. Bayerische Staatbibliotek, Munich.

https://www.bsb-muenchen.de/index.php

By contrast, the mid-19th century painting of the same subject by Ford Madox Brown certainly seems to get the posture right. Jesus kneels on the floor, cradling Peter's foot in his hands. In this version, Jesus' head is the lowest one in the picture, and he looks not at Peter's face but at the task before him. In this version of Brown's composition, Jesus wears a tunic with his arms exposed. In a preliminary sketch, Jesus has stripped to the waist - an artistic decision that caused great outcry from the public, who were scandalized to see Jesus so depicted. In a later painting of the same composition Brown clads Jesus in a long-sleeved garment. 

 Ford Madox Brown. Christ Washing Peter's Feet. 1851-1856. Tate Gallery, London. http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/brown-jesus-washing-peters-feet-n01394

The figure of Jesus offers two distinct interpretations of the subject, but Peter's posture is also quite different in the two. In one Peter's posture is open, arms and hands outstretched, and he looks up at Jesus (because Jesus is taller). In the other, Peter's posture is closed, arms pressed to his side, resting in his lap, fingers interwoven and clasped together. Because Jesus is kneeling, Peter is forced to look down on the top of Jesus' head, and he seems almost to be looking out from under his brow. Peter seems quite uncomfortable. 

A third figure is distinguished in both paintings. At the right in the Gospel Book and at the left in Brown's painting a disciple is clearly shown removing his sandal, preparing to be next in line to have Jesus wash his feet. Who is that disciple? Traditionally that figure is identified as Judas. Brown has placed, on the table before him, a bag that presumably contains the thirty pieces of silver that Judas has received in exchange for the promise of betrayal. Yes, Lord, wash my feet next, his actions seem to say. 

Does one of these images reflect your own understanding of this text? Had you ever thought about Jesus washing even Judas' feet? How does Peter's figure illuminate the story? Consider these interpretations in light of what we know of the events of the 72 hours following this event.