Getting their feet wet on Holy Week

“So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”—John 13:4-5.

Washing someone’s feet in the time of Jesus was seen as an act of hospitality. People wore sandals and walked along dirty and dusty roads so hosts often washed a guest’s feet before they entered a home.

When Jesus rose to wash His disciples’ feet during the Last Supper, it was seen as the ultimate act of humility—the incarnate Son of God washing the feet of the sinners He created and came to die for on the Cross just hours later.

That act and several others from Holy Week are not taken lightly by The Salvation Army in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., which holds a very interactive and lively Holy Week each year.

Lieutenants Ismael Ortiz and Irseris Agosto Santos, the corps officers in Wilkes-Barre, said the corps held a dramatic and moving foot-washing ceremony on Tuesday. Everyone gathered to recreate the Last Supper on Thursday before a Good Friday devotional on the last seven words of Jesus. Everything culminated with Resurrection Sunday after a week where the motto “Saved to Serve” was the theme.

A solemn occasion

“Many people don’t take it seriously what Jesus did,” Lieutenant Irseris said. “Easter is the celebration, but what happened behind the scenes that week? Why did Jesus do it? He did it because of His love for us. That’s what we focus on.

“We try to get the members of the corps to have that relationship and learn what Jesus went through—all that He suffered and everything He did.”

The foot-washing ceremony drew 32 people, including seven first timers, the most since the corps began holding such services in 2020.

“It was an intimate and humble service, knowing that the presence of the Lord was there,” Lieutenant Irseris said. “For the church members, this is a service of reflection, cleansing, putting aside all ego and pride, and sanctification to come humbly to the Lord. We saw how Jesus loved, served His disciples, and the world.

“It was amazing to see all these young people take that first step in washing their feet and hands. I am so proud of them; may God continue to order their steps in His word.”

Touching the heart

The foot-washing service clearly moved many of the participants, who commented afterward:

“The words ‘saved to serve’ struck me. That’s exactly what Jesus did for His whole life. That’s why I should be doing not some days but every day.”

“It amazes me how God used the leaders to give the message or the words we need in that moment. I praise God for listening to my prayers.”

“I felt so close to Jesus that I felt something different in my heart.”

“God used the pastors to tell me something that was in my heart and God used (Lieutenant Irseris) to confirm that word.”

On Thursday, corps members of all ages recreated the Last Supper and actually sat together at a long table as a video and audio of the scriptural passage played.

“The teens and children had the opportunity to dramatize the Upper Room as the scripture reading was playing,” Lieutenant Irseris said. “It was a first time for them, so they were very excited and happy to participate. It was very special because they felt the connection of what was going on.”

Big plans ahead

Friday night featured a devotional around the seven last words of Jesus from the Cross. Some people were given scripture to read aloud and beneficiaries from The Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center also participated. A moment of silence closed the evening.

Lieutenant Irseris said next year she and her husband are planning to do something centering around Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane that may involve other corps in the area.

Whatever is done, it’s a given they’ll take is seriously.

“Easter is one of our major holidays and we’re kingdom-minded and because we are, I think we should really honor and celebrate the Lord during Holy Week,” said Lieutenant Ismael said.