“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 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. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
– John 13:12-17
So to this world that was so unfamiliar with this message, Jesus preached that anyone who wants to be the greatest must become the least, and anybody who becomes the least will become the greatest. Of course, everybody thinks He is crazy, they were like, that doesn’t make any sense. Anyone who humbles himself will be exalted, but anyone who exalts himself will be humbled. Jesus models this in every aspect of His life — especially with the cross. But one of the most memorable times that Jesus exemplifies this is when He’s with all of His disciples (the ones who are going to be the leaders of the church) and He undresses from His robes and garments, which are expensive, nice, and those of a rabbi, and He dresses up like a slave. In those days, this is humiliating, it’s filthy. He goes and washes off all the dirt and animal dung off of the feet of His disciples one after the other, and He says no servant is greater than his master. If you want to be like me, you have to serve one another. |
Prayer
Wow, Jesus. Thank you for your example. Your way is so different than the way of this world. Align our hearts and our minds with your way, only!
Reflection
How do you think you would feel as one of Jesus’ disciples that day?
