One of the most beautiful stories of serving others is written in the Gospel of John when Jesus washes His disciples’ feet (John 13:1-15).
John 13:5-7
Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”
This story poignantly foreshadows Jesus’ imminent death. It also serves as a model to all Christians of how we are to be God’s humble servants. Just as any servant considers the master’s needs first, Christians must put God’s will first.
Jesus, in this story, takes off his fine outer garments and wraps Himself in a towel. Jesus, after washing each disciple’s feet, dries those feet with the towel wrapped around His waist. This service, the cleaning of feet, was a most menial, lowly job. Jesus was serving as an example here, showing His disciples that humbling yourself for true service was a most beautiful way to serve God and humanity.
Luke 9:24
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake will save it.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake will save it.
Christian martyrs literally lose their lives because of their love of Christ. But you don’t have to die to “lose” your life for Christ. Every time we put Christ – or the needs of our neighbor – first, we’re losing our lives for Christ. And that should be a source of great joy for us.
Drawing closer to God is not a physical thing. We draw closer to God by adhering to God’s ways.
Zephaniah 3:2
She didn’t obey the voice. She didn’t receive correction. She didn’t trust in Yahweh. She didn’t draw near to her God.
She didn’t obey the voice. She didn’t receive correction. She didn’t trust in Yahweh. She didn’t draw near to her God.
The New Testament is bursting with stories of how Jesus served humanity. Whether it was how Jesus selflessly taught, healed, or showed mercy, His life on earth was defined by His service.
Romans 8:8
Those who are in the flesh can’t please God.
Focusing on OUR needs – or being “in the flesh” – makes it impossible to put God first. Our body (our flesh) was designed to want. We want food. We want rest. We want, frankly, everything.
But Christ, when He washes His disciples’ feet, shows us how to bestow. And when we bestow – when we selflessly give for God and our neighbor – we bring God contentment and draw closer to Him.
Let’s Not Hesitate To Wash Each Other’s Feet
It’s not easy to humble yourself and put Christ and your neighbor first. But Jesus did not ever say that it would be easy (Matthew 16:24-25). But if we can follow Jesus’ example and “wash our neighbors feet,” we will know the true joy of doing God’s will and drawing closer to Christ.
