Water Works

This summer weather here in northern Minnesota has been so amazing lately! There have been nice sunny days mixed with some much needed rainy ones. For my summer job, I work at a day camp that is all outdoors, even on those rainy days. Playing in the rain and enjoying the games has made me experience water a little differently. Maybe you have experienced a black out from a storm that takes out your water and electricity. Those are the times when you realize how much water you use daily: cleaning, construction, washing, drinking, cooking, heating, etc. Pure water is not easy to come by, and drinking impure water can be deadly or invoke disease. 

I think about other times in history that water has been significant. Noah’s Ark, Moses parting the Red Sea, and Jesus walking on water are just a few. Water is so powerful! It can be cleansing, destructive, hydrating, life-giving, and has so many symbolic meanings. Of course, Jesus is the Living Water meaning He sustains us and gives us life. There were two specific stories in the Bible that I read this week about water. One is found in Luke 7:36-50 about the woman who washed Jesus' feet. Feet washing was not only a practical thing to do, but it also showed hospitality, humility, service, and even spiritual cleansing. The story begins with a Pharisee inviting Jesus to eat with him at his house. Read verse 37 and 38, “A sinful woman in the town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house. So she brought an alabaster jar of perfume and stood behind Jesus at his feet crying. She began to wash his feet with her tears, and she dried them with her hair, kissing them many times and rubbing them with the perfume.” Notice that the Pharisee is the host in this situation, but it’s the woman who is being more hospitable. The Pharisee is internally judging Jesus and the woman, but Jesus knows how much the woman is sacrificing in this act of love. He forgives her sins and acknowledges her faith and humility. The water from her tears was more significant than any bucket of water from a well. 

The second passage is in John 13:1-17. This is a different story, but with obvious symbolism and connection to the last. Jesus is sharing the Passover meal with his followers right before He will be taken to the cross (but the disciples don’t know that yet). Diving into verse 4, “during the meal, Jesus stood up and took off his outer clothing. Taking a towel, he wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into a bowl and began to wash the follower’s feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” I’d like to think that Jesus’ mind was filled with the memory of the woman who washed his feet earlier. Again, water is being used to cleanse– not just physically like in the Luke passage, but spiritually. When Jesus gets to Peter, Peter is taken aback and says “No, you will never wash my feet.” Peter probably thought it was inappropriate for Jesus the Lord of all to be performing this dirty task that a servant usually did. But the ironic part of this is that Jesus was the ultimate servant and taught the disciples several parables and stories about lowering yourself and being humble. Jesus answers Peter in verse 8. “If I don’t wash your feet, then you are not one of my people.” Peter immediately responds, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but wash my hands and my head too.” This isn’t the first time Jesus is trying to teach them something spiritual but only the physical act is obvious at first. Jesus tells them that they (minus Judas) are already clean because they have shown their faith, and only need to wash their feet. If Jesus, the Lord and Teacher, could be humble and wash his friends’ feet, then how much more should we be servants to others and bless them with hospitality? 

Water, a fundamental element, is necessary for life on earth. Jesus as the Living Water is essential for life on earth and heaven. How are you following Jesus’ example of service this week? Next time you drink water, jump in a lake, or listen to the rain, think about all the ways water can symbolize power and purity.