May 13, 2024
A Pattern for Servanthood
Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. 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, He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter said to Him, never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." Jesus said to him, He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you. " For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason, He said, not all of you are clean." 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. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. John 13:1-17
Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). In Bible times, the lowest servant of the house washed dusty feet. So the disciples must have been surprised when Jesus performed this humble task for them. He explained His shocking behavior by saying, “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14).
Based on those words, many churches have turned foot washing into an ordinance; they believe that this act shows Christlikeness and demonstrates willingness to serve. Perhaps that’s true for some believers, but many perform the ceremony by rote. Jesus’ message to the disciples and to modern believers is not literally to wash dirty feet, but rather to serve one another with humility and love.
True servanthood is not a popular topic because many people regard it as beneath them. But God wants us to see ourselves as living sacrifices. To serve the Lord well, we must be willing do whatever He asks for whomever He asks. Our Christlikeness is evident when we love God and others so much that we willingly humble ourselves for their sake.
Jesus performed one of the lowliest tasks of His day to demonstrate His servanthood. What are you willing to do for Him?
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