At the Last Supper, Jesus rose from the table to wash His disciples’ feet. He brought water alongside the bread and wine. When He came to Peter, it became clear that Peter had eyes in his head. He was a reasonable man, one who could see something was askew. Masters don’t kneel to do servants’ work. However many hierarchies there may be in the world, those at the top of them are not at the bottom of them. So Peter asked, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “Peter, you don’t know what I’m doing now, but you will know later.”

Many Christians are so familiar with Christ’s teaching that they fail to sympathize with Peter. They want to take him aside and remind him: “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). But it has always struck me that we should be more sympathetic with the apostle. The living God has joined tax collectors and sinners for a meal, and there He has knelt to wash their feet. This is embarrassing grace, an action that has turned everything upside down to set it all right again.