An Act of Service
Then He poured water into the basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.” John 13:5, 12-16
On the night Jesus gathered with the disciples for their final meal before his crucifixion, Jesus did something surprising. He assumed the position of foot washer. This was not a glamorous job. In fact, it was pretty disgusting. People walked around on the streets, which were not paved, and dirt and debris would get in their sandals and soil their feet.
It was customary for a servant in the home to wash the feet of those that entered, especially before a meal. I imagine it would have been refreshing to have your feet washed as you entered a home after having dirt caked onto your feet during your travels. Though I imagine it was less pleasant for the servant doing the washing - for one thing, they had to touch dirty feet, but for another, I imagine the smell would have been unwelcome. I can’t imagine anyone wanted to sign up for this job!
And yet, Jesus, gathered with his disciples, is the one to do the washing of the feet. He gets the water and the towel and goes down the line washing one set of feet after another. His act of service is a remarkable moment. I find it interesting that it doesn’t mention the disciples trying to take over this task, but rather they let him keep going. Aside from Peter wanting Jesus to wash his whole body, we don’t really know what they were thinking, but I have to imagine they were surprised.
After Jesus finished, he challenged the disciples to a different kind of love. The kind of love that sets aside title, pride, and expectation, and instead invited them to love by serving those around them.
Jesus agrees with their assessment that he is Teacher and Lord. But he wants them to understand that there isn’t a hierarchy in serving one another. Soon Jesus will be gone, and he is demonstrating to his disciples what it will look like for them to love those in their community, and beyond, in unexpected ways.
Have you ever thought a task was beneath you? We’ve probably all had that thought, I know I have. I think the point Jesus is trying to make is there aren’t any tasks beneath us. All of us are capable of loving and serving one another in all kinds of ways regardless of our title or position, regardless of our name or legacy, regardless of ……. You fill in the blank.
For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me. Matthew 26:35-36
What opportunities is the Holy Spirit bringing to your mind today in which you are feeling called to serve in a different capacity than what is expected?
~ Melissa