Over the years, the story of Jesus washing his disciple’s feet has captivated my imagination. A few years ago, Jesus’ response (“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”) to Peter’s declaration that Jesus would NEVER wash his feet caught my attention as I pondered what it means to be willing to receive. Not only receive the salvation offered by Jesus but also receive the gifts that others have to offer. This year Jesus’ attitude towards Judas Iscariot has taken up space in my thoughts. 

I wonder what it was like for Jesus to wash Judas’ feet, knowing that he was soon to betray Jesus. How heavy was Jesus’ heart as he poured water over Judas’ feet? Did he look up at Judas, trying to make eye contact as he dried his feet with a towel, searching Judas’ eyes for any sign of repentance? Did a tear fall as he let go of Judas’ feet, moving on to the next disciple, knowing that Judas, although willing to let Jesus wash his feet, refused to let the cleansing reach his heart? Or was Jesus angry, using all his self-control to keep from being a little too rough with Judas? Wishing he could just skip washing Judas’ feet—what is the use if he won’t accept it anyway? 

We do not know what Jesus was thinking as he washed Judas’ feet. But later, as Jesus reclined once more at the table with the twelve, we do know his spirit was troubled. And yet, he kept trying to reach Judas. In verse 26, Jesus offers Judas a piece of bread after dipping it into the dish. According to author Craig R. Koester in his book “Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel,” this act is one of favour. Jesus tried once more to reach Judas, offering him the opportunity to turn away from his evil plans and turn to Jesus. But Judas’ heart was hard. He took the bread, but instead of repentance, he allowed the accuser to take complete control. Only the disciple whom Jesus loved knew what the action meant and had any idea what Judas left the table to do. 

When I first started reflecting on Jesus’ actions toward Judas, I began to wonder if what we were to take away from this passage is a lesson on serving even those who are out to get you, who plan to betray you. But I do not believe that setting ourselves up to be abused and misused is what Jesus has in mind here. When people, especially those who are supposed to be our friends and family, betray us, we do not need to keep on humbly serving them. This is not the lesson for us. It might cause us to pause and think about what it means to love your enemy or spend time reflecting on how we can treat those in the Christian community with whom we disagree. But if someone is misusing their power, Jesus does not ask us to keep washing their feet. 

Jesus is the one with power in this story.. Verse 3: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God.” Jesus knew that what was going to happen that night was within his control. He made a choice to lay down his life. If Judas had changed his mind, refused to allow the accuser to take over, and repented, it would not have prevented Jesus’ work on the cross. God’s promise to bring salvation to all people through Jesus was not in question. 

No, what Jesus’ actions toward Judas show us is God’s unrelenting, never-ending pursuit of us. All that Jesus does, not only in the week of his death and resurrection but throughout his whole life, is for the purpose of reaching his creation. Even when we have turned away and hardened our hearts, God continues to offer us grace. Jesus continues to reach out, offering to wash us, giving us food to eat,  and showing us favour that we do not deserve. The Holy Spirit keeps providing opportunities for us to turn toward God. 

Each of Jesus’ actions toward Judas that night in the upper room was a plea for Judas to turn. To accept. Right until the end, Jesus longs for Judas to come up with a different response. We might cringe at Peter’s over-enthusiastic response to Jesus’ strange actions, especially knowing that in just a few hours Peter will deny even knowing Jesus. And yet, Peter gets it right in this story, receiving Jesus’ service even as he has yet to figure out what it all means. May we all be more like Peter this lent. 

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