Wash their feet or shake their hand?

How many of you get annoyed during the greeting at church? I used to HATE just shaking hands with people at our old church.. I always got stuck shaking someone's hand that just coughed into it, sneezed into it, or just overall smelled like garlic. Now, our church home wants us to be super involved with our neighbor. It was definitely an adjustment. My husband and I would try to get there early and sit on the end, or sit between friends, all in fear of the dreaded "blah blah blah to your neighbor." It's not just hand shaking, but one-liners, story telling, high fives and hugs... TOTAL discomfort. It was so awkward at first.

My dad got me to lighten up a bit, talking about how it wasn't for me, it's for the person that does need that acknowledgment; the person that feels like no one "sees" them; the person that comes to church but still feels like a stranger. Now, I've gotten to the point where i trust my pastor and that there is a reason behind all of this. It's actually been nice to kind of recognize faces, remember names and reach out to people I would have never talked to, otherwise.

These past couple weeks, God's been laying something on my heart, that shifted my perspective even more off of myself and more on to others. He lead me to the verses, where Jesus washed the disciples feet in John 13 (MSG).

A couple things stuck out to me. First, this passage mentions they have already had baths, and we can assume after traveling on foot, their feet are probably the dirtiest thing on their body, and Jesus chooses to wash them.

⁸ Peter persisted, “You’re not going to wash my feet—ever!”

Jesus said, “If I don’t wash you, you can’t be part of what I’m doing.”

⁹ “Master!” said Peter. “Not only my feet, then. Wash my hands! Wash my head!”

The second thing that sticks out, is what Jesus said. If we change the word "wash" out and substitute "shake your hand," "hug," "high five," "speak," etc, it becomes a little more personal. If not shaking their hand, means they can't be part of what the Holy Spirit is doing, then I'm missing an opportunity. There's something that Jesus wanted us to be a part of when He washed the dirtiest part of our heart and let us be a part of His redemption story. When we extend our hand, we break down a barrier of separation that the devil has piled on. We create community.

The third thing is the command Jesus gives us.

v13-16 "So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do."

Jesus is commanding us to wash each other's feet. Our Pastor is not even asking that of us, yet we still gripe and complain. Jesus is telling us to find the dirtiest part of our neighbor and TOUCH it. Jesus is not telling us to find what is comfortable for US, or to do the minimum, or to turn to just one person, but to humble yourself, step out of your security box, and obey so that WE can all be a part of what God's doing.

v17 " If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life."

And lastly, the passage ends with "live a blessed life." If we have been blessed, (and we have thanks to the precious blood of Jesus) we need to act like it! We need to overflow with love for our neighbor. We need to have a smile on and be ready to talk to a stranger or celebrate with a friend. It doesn't cost us anything. There's a blessing that comes from community, a blessing that comes from obeying, and a blessing that MAY just end up helping your neighbor find Jesus.