Scripture
3Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. John 13:3-4
Observation
When you know who’s you are, you know who you are and you know what to do for those around you. Jesus knew He was approved so He didn’t have to prove anything and positioned himself to serve those around Him. The greatest person in the room took the role of the least person in the room and gave us the greatest example of what a leader looks like. Jesus was firm in His identity as a son, He walked in the clarity that this earth was not His home and didn’t have to assert His authority by demanding, but showed His authority by serving. He models for us that we don’t graduate FROM serving we graduate TO serving. He was already wrapped in the robes of righteousness so wrapping his waist with a servant's towel wasn’t demeaning His position but instead was modeling His intention to establish a different kind of kingdom, a kingdom of kindness. We could certainly use a lot more of this kind of leadership these days. Jesus didn’t pick and choose which ones in the room he would serve. He washed all of their feet. The unpaved roads they took to get there, the dirt and the dung they had walked through with their sandals, the mud created when the water was added, and yet the hands that shaped the universe continued to scrub those dirty toes. A leader who is secure in their identity isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty. His unconditional love was revealed through His unstoppable heart to serve everyone in the room.
Application
Have you ever washed someone’s feet? It requires true humility. Have you ever had your feet washed? It’s a truly humbling process. As Jesus was scrubbing the disciple's feet He was scrubbing their heart and He was providing an example for all who would follow in His footsteps, “I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (Jn. 15:15) He served everyone and so must we. Serving isn't synonymous with agreeing. As you look at the following list of those Jesus served it's obvious He didn't agree with their choices, but was after their hearts! He served the betrayer! Wrap your minds around the fact that Jesus knew Judas would betray Him and He still got on his knees and washed his feet. He served the denier! Jesus knew Peter would lie about knowing the One he had promised to serve, not just once, or twice, but three times. And yet, not just once, or twice but multiple times Jesus washes Peter’s feet. He served the doubter! Thomas is the one known for doubting Jesus was truly the Savior even when He was standing resurrected right in front of Him. The truth is that all of the disciples were doubters because they all ran and hid. Really, the only one who was there all the way through with Jesus was John. If I’m going to serve someone I like to serve those who are more like John- the loyal, the true, the brave, the kind. Yet, Jesus calls me to serve everyone, not just the ones I like are the ones who are like me. Can we serve the mask wearer and the non-mask wearer? Can we serve the one who marches and the one who stays home? Can we serve the one on the opposite side of our political position? Can we serve those who look, sound, dress, act differently than us? We can! The real question is, will we? Will we serve even we aren’t thanked, appreciated, acknowledged, or listened to? Jesus came and served us and we can do no less. If we are truly Christ-followers we must be people servers.
Prayer
This past week I saw this lesson lived out as I stayed in my parent's home. My Mom has extreme back pain and my Dad helps her get everything she needs so she doesn’t have to get up. Even after a long workday, he waits on her because he loves her. This is what You modeled for us. This is the way we need to be showing love in this season of division, societal unrest, heartbreak, and tension at every level. Give me Your heart to serve everyone You bring in front of me.
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