The Fellowship of Care

Washed Feet, Anointed Love : A Reflection for the Church

On Resurrection Sunday, we celebrate the empty tomb, and claim the risen Savior, the final victory over death.

But before the cross… Before the stone was rolled away… Jesus did something tender, humble, and deeply challenging.

“If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.” —John 13:8

Jesus, the King of Glory, washed the feet of his disciples.

He stooped low, wrapped in a towel, taking on the posture of a servant. And then He said:

“I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” —John 13:15

The Forgotten Ministry: Washing Each Other’s Feet

We often interpret this as a call to humility—and it is. But it’s also a call to intimacy, care, and fellowship among believers.

Jesus didn’t say, "Wash the world’s feet." He said, "Wash one another’s."

Before we run out to feed the poor and reach the lost (as we must), we must ask: Are we soothing the weary feet of the very Body of Christ?

 

Allowing Ourselves to Be Washed

Peter resisted.

“Thou shalt never wash my feet.” —John 13:8

But Jesus replied, “If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.”

Sometimes, it’s pride that keeps us from letting others see our dirt. Sometimes, it's shame, or fear of being vulnerable in the Church.

But Jesus’ model wasn’t just about service—it was about receiving care, too.

The Alabaster Offering: Anointing Within the Family

“Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus…” —John 12:3

She didn’t pour it out for charity. She poured it out on Jesus, in preparation for His burial.

When Judas objected, claiming the oil should have been sold and given to the poor, Jesus rebuked him:

“Let her alone… Against the day of my burying hath she kept this.” —John 12:7

It is not wrong to pour our resources, our love, our time, our oil—into one another, especially within the Church.

Jesus Cared for His Friends

• He healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:30–31)

• He raised Lazarus, His beloved friend (John 11:3, 35)

• He fed the disciples breakfast after His resurrection (John 21:9–13)

• He defended Mary from criticism (Luke 10:41–42)

• He sent fish to fill Peter’s net, even after Peter had denied Him (Luke 5:6; John 21:6)

Jesus didn’t just work miracles for the multitudes—He ministered to His own.

Have I reached out to that struggling brother in Christ? Have I encouraged a sister who’s silently weary? Have I poured oil on the feet of Jesus through the ones who bear His name?

Let Our Light Also Warm Our Own

Yes, we are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14). But light doesn’t just shine—it warms.

It should bring warmth to:

• The single mom at church

• The tired usher or overlooked deacon

• The discouraged youth pastor

• The believer grieving quietly in the back pew

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” —John 13:35

Let Us Be Renewed with Compassion

The resurrection means new life, yes. But it also means a new way of walking—and a new way of walking with each other.

Let this Easter not only be about celebrating that He lives... But about living out His example in how we care for the Church.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” —Galatians 6:2
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” —Galatians 6:10

A Final Prayer

Lord, teach us to wash each other's feet( the body of Christ)—
To kneel in love, not judgment.
To pour oil on wounds, not salt.
To anoint, to listen, to protect, to encourage.
Let this service reflect the kind of love that makes the world want to know You.

In the name of Jesus the Christ and risen King, Amen. 

A call to action:

If this reflection was meaningful to you, consider sharing it or sending an encouragement to a brother or sister in Christ this week.

Looking for a meaningful way to reflect or gift this Easter? Check out our “Jesus Is Not Worried” Hardcover Journal—a gentle reminder to trust God in every season.