One of Greater Vision’s most popular recordings, Far Beyond This Place, kicks off with arguably their signature song, “My Name Is Lazarus.” Largely overlooked is the next track, “He Washed My Feet.” Like the project opener, it is a Rodney Griffin composition with roots in an event recorded in the Gospels. Quite unlike the former, the latter is a slow-paced, contemplative piece. While “Lazarus” creates a fictionalized illustration from a Bible story, “He Washed My Feet” is a direct application of a Biblical event. Track #1 got the radio play and still gets the attention, and justifiably so, but the touching lyric of track #2 deserves another look and listen.
The first verse is written from an uncommon perspective: the first person of Judas Iscariot. Let’s look at the Scripture from which the song takes its basis, in John Chapter 13.
1Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him;
3Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
The disciples are gathered for the last passover meal before Jesus’ death, where he instituted the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. The mood is somber, as Jesus knows that he would be betrayed by Judas and arrested later that night. Back to the song, Griffin explores the mindset of Judas, who is face to face in close quarters with the One he has already planned to betray. To make matters worse, Judas knows that Jesus knows what is going to take place. I think Griffin has it right when he presents Judas as fearful of what is going to happen to him. But then something happens that Judas surely doesn’t expect. The second half of the first verse, leading into the chorus, takes us there:
His holy eyes pierced through me
Revealing all my sin
I knew his wrath was coming
And this would be the end…
But he bowed and he washed my feet…
What an astounding act of mercy by our Savior! He could have destroyed the traitor with one word, and Judas knew it. But instead, He “made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant,” (Philippians 2:7) washing his feet, and giving his lost disciple one more chance to repent. We all know that didn’t happen, and what would eventually be the fate of Judas Iscariot.
The second verse is the application verse. In it, the Biblical story is related to the Christian who has erred and fallen. (The key distinction, of course, is that Judas wasn’t a true disciple, but lost.) Griffin sets the perspective:
Judas would fail Him
But he’s no worse than I
The moment I gave in
To Satan’s compromise
When we finally come to ourselves in our sinful state, we stand facing the holy Savior we have failed, the One who deserves and requires nothing less than our complete devotion. Justice calls for judgment, but Jesus answers with grace and mercy. He washes the feet that are sullied from walking the treacherous roads of sin. God is not in the judging business for the sorrowful and repentant soul; He is in the cleaning business. 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
And from Psalm 51, the song of the repentant sinner:
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Fallen Christian, don’t follow the example of Judas, who let pride and thirty pieces of silver come between him and the marvelous grace of Christ. Repent, and allow him to wash your feet, and cleanse your heart from the stains of sin.
Take a listen, and let Rodney Griffin’s lyrics and Greater Vision’s delivery speak to you:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VP_b39svO8c
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