One of the most meaning filled stories in the New Testament is the account of the last supper. It was the Passover, and Jesus and his disciples gathered in an upper room to share in the meal. It was customary, and an expected act of hospitality, to have someone there to wash the feet of those who had come. But there was no servant present, and the disciples were busy jockeying for the preferred positions in the coming Kingdom. They all wanted to be pre-eminent in the Kingdom, so none was willing to lower himself to such a menial task. But it needed to be done, so Jesus himself took a basin and a towel and began to wash the feet of the disciples.

I imagine that they were embarrassed because Jesus was willing to do what none of them was willing to do. If they weren’t embarrassed, they shoul…