The Shocking Wonder of Jesus...
Learning to approach every blank canvas kneeling...
“Jesus Washes Peter’s Feet” by Ford Madox Brown, painted 1852/53
I discovered this painting when visiting Tate Britain in London a few years ago. Originally the artist painted Christ with nothing on other than a garment around his waste - which is accurate to what the gospels tell us. Brown later changed the painting by putting the green robe on Jesus. It was only then that the painting sold - before that people found it too offensive, too shocking. The painting really caught my attention - particularly the way it reads and I'd like to share that with you as an Easter meditation on this Maundy Thursday...
Join me by looking at Jesus and the direction he faces, head bowed and knees bent, fully present to the person in front of him. Follow his gaze downward to his strong and firm grip on Peter's feet. From there travel upwards to Peters hands clenched in a prayer like posture. Moving higher again we see Peter's intense gaze and focus - as he tries to figure out why the Messiah is doing such a trivial and degrading job. We then move around the table - the first disciple behind Peter has a somewhat curious and youthful look on his face, mouth open in shock. Quite likely this is the apostle John due to his youth. His shock is a narrative that continues all around the table with two disciples comforting each other while another (who is actually the face of the Pre-Raphaelite artist Rossetti) has his hands on his head in utter dismay.
But here's the thing that jumped at me as I gazed at this painting - the last disciple, sitting behind Jesus isn't shocked. He's actually bending down to untie the laces on his sandals as if to say "when is it my turn!" With a money bag on the table beside him, it is clear the artist is telling us this is Judas. From the look on his face it is also evident that he isn't bending down to untie his shoes to receive this prophetic act from Christ in a posture of humility or hunger but from a place of entitlement.
The final thing to note is the perspective of the painting. We are looking at this scene from a low vantage point. Brown painted it intentionally as if he himself was kneeling before Christ, perhaps also reflecting on what it would be like for his own feet to be washed.
What a powerful painting!
What’s your reaction? Who do you most relate to around the table? Are you still shocked at the events of Holy Week? Do they still turn your world upside down and challenge your understanding of the very heart of God and love?
For me, this painting is a visual reminder to never lose the wonder of the cosmic magnitude of these events, to not become too familiar or complacent with the Scriptures and with the journey of the cross. To check myself for pride and entitlement - are there places I’m already untying my laces with presumption before Jesus? On a personal level it reminds me to be a painter who approaches every empty canvas on my knees.
I want to (re)discover a posture of shock at the nature of Christs love - hands on the head kind of wonder, speechless with the confusion and mystery of such radical, extravagant and sacrificial love that plays out between now and Sunday…
Happy Easter from a very occasional Substack writer…
Jon