Today I washed Judas’ feet. I had the choice to pass her on by, to wash the feet of another who is fully dedicated to Jesus, another who has been a beautiful labourer in the ministry with me, but instead I stopped and I chose to wash the feet of Judas, one who has stolen from me, from the church, someone who has spoken untruths to me numerous times, someone who has expressed ill of me to others, and someone who is choosing to walk away from this glorious message of the Gospel. I washed the feet of one whose heart was as cold as ice as I showered her with words of love and encouragement, and reminded her that I will always be there for her, no matter what. And yet her eyes looked so empty as she listened to my voice. I really wasn’t even sure she was paying attention, as her mind seemed to be elsewhere. Her loyalty all gone. Her desire for the things of God now a thing of the past. And her heart now hardened.
But, I chose to wash her feet. Because I still see the beautiful little girl who fell in love with Jesus a long time ago, and grew up to sing songs for Him; the girl that was happy and wore a big smile constantly, and hugged me and loved me as her Missionary, until something changed in her heart. I washed her feet because I still have hopes for her, to see her become someone great for the Lord, to see her successful in life and blessed. I washed the feet of Judas, weeping for her, knowing the error of her way will cause her much pain in life and because of it, she will suffer things that were never part of God’s plan for her. And yet, praying that somehow she’d change her mind. I washed her feet not remembering all the times she hid things from me that were relevant to the ministry and to her spiritual walk with the Lord, but thinking on the beautiful times I saw her in the presence of the Lord, kneeling, weeping before Him.
As Jesus loved Judas and washed his feet, knowing He’d betray Him and take money in exchange for Him, He taught me to do the same through His example. So, no I didn’t pass her on by today; I chose to wash Judas’ feet, too. And I did it because I still love her.
