You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet,you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 13:13-14)
Imagine washing someone’s dusty feet— that might be part of what it means to follow Jesus. Peter found that out in a surprising way.
In Bible times guests would arrive with dusty feet given the climate, and a slave would wash their feet. Most likely there was no slave available when Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples.
Apparently none of the disciples offered to fill the gap. So Jesus took a towel, filled a basin and kneeling, washed the feet of His disciples. The Master chose to do the work of a slave in a literal demonstration of His words: ‘For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve’ (Mark 10:45). Jesus told them that He was giving them an example which they should follow. If you are a follower of Jesus, this applies to you. We should never be too proud to step in to offer help where it is needed, regardless of the task.
The kingdom of God is not characterized by great speeches, but by Jesus’ powerful servant love which changes hearts and lives.
How is the power of Jesus’ love visible in our lives when we are willing to serve?
Image by Lumo Project Films – www.lumoproject.com.