“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you… Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” — John 13:14-15,17 (NIV)
Even though I have been trying to follow Jesus for 30 years, I need to be reminded frequently of the basics of a life of faith. One of the most fundamental aspects of following Jesus is to learn to walk humbly, thinking more highly of others than of myself, and demonstrating that understanding by serving my brothers and sisters, helping to meet their needs. Jesus says that I will be blessed if I learn to follow His example of humble service — which I suppose means that I will miss His blessing (at least the one that comes as a result of humble service) if I do not.
To really make sure we understand what Jesus means, we have to understand what was significant about Jesus’ example of washing feet. Was it primarily because of great love, great sacrifice, great service, or great humility? Certainly all four aspects were present to some degree. But I think Jesus’ point here is focusing on great humility manifested in an act of service. I believe this because of Peter’s reaction just a few verses earlier, where he tried to prevent Jesus from washing his feet. Peter’s reaction shows that this was a very lowly task, and he thought it well beneath Jesus to be doing such a thing for him.
But Jesus responds to say that while it is true that He is Lord, the position is not something to be flaunted or used to demand from or control others. Rather, regardless of position, doing an act of kindness and service is something that everyone should do. As a servant-leader, Jesus broke the mold or the paradigm of having a position and a title so that others will honor and serve Him. We are called to do likewise.
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What people often do when they read this story is they try to think of the most humble thing they can do, to show that they are humble. I think this misses the mark. This is just our way of trying to be great by appearing humble. I think the better thing to do is to ask ourselves, “If I wasn’t so worried about how people would think less of me — or for that matter, not take notice of me — what would I do that would be a genuine blessing to someone else?” Perhaps it is to spend time talking and listening to someone who is desperately lonely. Or perhaps it is to do simple chores that elderly or disabled people need done but cannot do themselves because of physical or fiscal limitations.
Posted originally on December 23, 2009