Recently, a few of my Frontiers teammates and I hosted a character development training for a group of local Muslim women. The training allowed us to subtly speak about the qualities of Christ, while also discerning which women seemed most open to discussing spiritual matters.

When our meeting ended, my teammates immediately started preparing a second training, hoping to deepen our relationships with those we invited to return.

Our plans ultimately led to a second encouraging event. During our gathering, I approached my small group of ladies carrying a bar of soap and a bucket of water. As I had done at other similar events, I prepared to do as Jesus had done at the Last Supper.

Kneeling before them, a towel draped over my shoulder, I asked, “May I wash your feet?”

The semi-circle of mostly reserved women suddenly turned animated. A few sat in shock, their eyes widening in disbelief. Others attempted to change my mind, their passionate petitions soon coming too fast to decipher.

Khamisa stepped closer to me. “We need to talk. You don’t understand what you’re doing.”

Her comment made me smile. When I had first arrived in the Middle East, I certainly wouldn’t have understood. Like most Western Christians, I would have thought I was teaching a simple object lesson, intending to connect our activity to the story of how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. I wouldn’t have considered how my actions would be perceived.

Here, they’re revolutionary.

In my host culture—just like in Jesus’—feet aren’t merely viewed as dirty or off-putting. They’re shameful.

Muslims always remove their shoes before entering someone’s home. They sit with their feet pointed away from others to avoid insulting them. And they always wash their feet before praying so they don’t present themselves to the Lord unclean.

Only servants wash feet. It’s humiliating. Dishonoring. Yet, the Savior of the world did it.

I wanted to do it, too.

Placing a hand on Khamisa’s shoulder, I tried to reassure her. “It’s okay. I know what this means to you and your people, and I still want to do it. I love you.”

Delight flickered across her face, replaced in an instant with concern. “I love you, too, my friend. That’s why I can’t allow this.”

After a bit more back and forth, I convinced Khamisa to sit down with the others and did my best to recapture everyone’s attention. “There’s a reason I want to wash your feet. It’s because Jesus cleansed me.”

They all listened intently as I explained how Jesus stooped down to clean the dirtiest and most shame-filled parts of us. His love for us drove Him to such humility because it was the only way to make us presentable to the Father.

Although Khamisa left the room, the rest of the women nodded. They thanked me for sharing my story with them, but when I bent in front of them with my bucket, they still politely declined. They weren’t ready yet.

Eventually, I accepted defeat and announced a short break. Then I went looking for Khamisa.

As I passed the bathroom, I heard the water running. A moment later, Khamisa emerged. She had washed her face, arms, legs, and of course, her feet.

“I’m ready,” she declared proudly.

I wrapped her in a hug before leading her back to her chair.

She’d missed the point of my illustration, but her willingness to participate still warmed my heart. My mission isn’t to change a culture, or even a single person. My mission is to share the Gospel with everyone I can and invite them to follow Jesus. He will change hearts.

I pray that Khamisa will one day look to Christ alone for the cleansing of her sins.

Pray:

• Ask God to soften the hearts of Muslim men and women like Khamisa, so they will repent and turn to the only One who can make them truly clean.
• Lift up Frontiers field workers as they seek to overcome cultural barriers with Muslims. Pray they will have many opportunities to share the Gospel.
• Praise God for the humility and sacrifice of Jesus Christ, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life! 

**This account comes from a long-term worker. Names have been changed for security.**

Main photo on iStock

Original article: https://frontiersusa.org/blog/washing-feet/