If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
John 13:14 KJV
The Context:
Jesus had settled so many quarrels relating to pride and position among his disciples. Many of them saw him as a master, a great man and the son of God. They had seen him perform miracles; in fact, all of them were sent out too and they all returned with testimonies that at the name of Jesus, even demons fled. That was the quality of life under the man they saw as their master. This must have been the reason why the mother of James and John came to negotiate a good deal with Jesus for her two sons.
Imagine the shock as they sat at table, close to the time of his death on the cross. He took out a towel and began to wash the feet of the disciples who had been following him: no drama, no cameras, no fuss; just simply washing and cleaning. It was not a job for the master; it was a job for the servants of the house. But before we look at the of washing and cleaning, let's look at the verses before today's extract.
The Message:
Jesus had no issues with his identity. He had nothing to prove; he had no axe to grind with anyone. He was comfortable in his state because He knew who he was. He knew Judas would betray him, yet he washed and cleaned his feet. He knew Peter would deny him so loudly, yet he washed and cleaned his feet. There were others there whose hearts may not yet have processed all they heard Jesus say, but their feet were washed and cleaned. Do I really have anything to prove to anyone? Am I comfortable in myself, knowing who has called me and who I serve? Do I serve with a zeal that knows no hypocrisy, safe that the one who commissions my assignment is the one who will reward accordingly?
He washed and cleaned the dirty feet of his followers, and then returned to his place. His place was there all along, and as long as he was alive, his life would be an example worthy of emulation. Am I all about position, power, possession and privilege, or is it about the presence of God that keeps a man from pride? If Jesus, the Lord and Master of his disciples could stoop to the ground to wash the feet of his followers, what other example would the followers have to be proud or to consider some jobs beneath them? If I know who I am and who I work for, nothing will be too hard for me to do.
The Response:
The Master has spoken: whatever he does, he expects me to do. If he has done it, he will supply grace for me, as his follower, to also do the same. If I see myself as being above service, maybe I am not a true follower of Jesus. If I consider myself as being superior to you, simply because of what I know, or what men call me, then I may not be able to achieve all that God has called me to do.
Washing each other's feet could mean giving up my rights so that another person could have his way. It could mean going above and beyond the terms of the assignment, so that another person can be blessed. It could be anything at all; my heart must be ready at all times to make sacrifices to show off God in all His glory. I do not have an excuse; I have been shown what to do, not just told. It is not an option or a negotiation; it is a command. The way of blessing passes through obedience. If I will be blessed, and enjoy the fullness of all that God intends, now I know what He expects. The world waits for all who will live by the example of service and humility. His time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment