Hot pot

The greatest example of serving

Life in Grace

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 13:12-16

During Bible times people wore sandals and walked dusty, dirty roads. These conditions necessitated a lot of footwashing. Foot washing was reserved for the lowliest of servants. Very rarely did friends ever wash each other’s feet. If they did, it was done as an act of great love. As the Jesus and the disciples were eating their last supper together before Jesus would be crucified, the disciples argued over who was the greatest among them. Jesus’ response to their discussion was, For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22:27. Later, Jesus proceeded to wash the disciple’s feet.

This was totally unexpected from His disciples. Normally a master does not serve his disciples. No one at the table “expected” Jesus to wash their feet. But that’s what love does. Love does what no one expects to be done for them.

Here was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords on bended knee performing the lowly but selfless and loving act of washing their feet. But this example from Jesus was not just about the physical act of washing someone’s feet. This was about much more. This story emphasizes humility - and humility is the beginning of holiness. He was making Himself an example and teaching them that only in humility and serving one another, is true greatness is found. They were shocked and humbled, and some even tried to stop Him. But He told them, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” His actions were symbolic of spiritual cleansing for us as well as a model of Christ-like humility. Apart from allowing Christ to cleanse us, we cannot have a relationship with Him. There is no spiritual relationship without cleansing.

Jesus didn’t have to get down on His knees and wash the disciples’ feet, but He did. He did it because he loved them, and he wanted to express and show His love for them. He did it to show them how they were to serve and love others, as well as to be an example for us of how to truly do ministry. To fail to humble ourselves to serve others is to fail to humble ourselves to serve God. Jesus gave us an incredible example of selfless humility in washing the disciple’s feet. He expects no less of us. His example showed us that He wanted to express and show His love for the disciples. He wants us to express and show His love for the world.

by Lara Cook

North Side Baptist Church