A reflection written from Peter’s point of view following a time of imaginative prayer, in which I read the part of Peter in a dramatized reading. Scripture Reference: John 13:1-17.

Written 18 March 2026

I didn’t understand motive obscure…
The significance to me is lost,
as his towel replaced for robe…
The honoured leader we worship,
should have sat with all eyes on him…
One look, one word, all he’d need,
an easy directive to action of servant…
But no, to the status depths he went!

He stoops to attend to task of slave…
One foot at a time freely released,
as grime and stench gone with this act…
His cleansing gentle but thorough for us,
skin soothed with each tender touch…
The silence tells of a lack of objection,
each person in line obeys without word…
Then, there, he appears at my feet!

I ask, questioning his action…
His expectation of partaking clear,
needs a reveal of hidden things carried…
Resistance shows as emotions swirl,
perhaps through shame, fear, or hurt…
“You shall never wash my feet”,
the words of my mind affirm…
Be my teacher, never a servant!

When I think back on his way…
Everything the teacher has done,
he’s done for good reason…
And in support of the peoples,
whose spirits he’s fighting for…
My understanding him wrongly,
makes him explain all still more…
He’s patient yet firm, I need to obey!

Only then I relent, offered my skin…
Limitations gone, I give up it all,
yet he assured, it’s only feet needed…
Calmness restored as value affirmed,
(but warns not everyone’s so free)…
Lowly task over, his seat reassumed,
enforcing a lesson I so sorely needed…
Now I’ve been served, I may serve too!