"Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God; 4. He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded himself (wrapped the towel around His waist). 5. After that He poured water into a basin, and began to wash His disciple's feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded (that He had wrapped around His waist)."
This is one of the most remarkable events in the Bible. First, we are told that Jesus knew that "the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He was come from God, and went to God." That was a heady moment in the life of our Savior. How did He react? He didn't use the moment as a time to feed His ego and to brag about Who and What He was/is. Second, we are told that in response to that moment of realization, He wrapped a towel around His waist, and began to wash His disciple's feet. Jesus did this as an example to His diciples and to us. If the Savior of the world, to whom "all things" belong, can do this humbling task then we should do it as well. In Fact, Jesus told His disciples in verse 14: "If I your Lord and Master, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet." Did He literally mean that we should wash one another's feet? Some of our Christian brethren think so, because they have foot-washing services in their churches. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. It would do us all good to stoop and wash somebody else's feet. But I want to remind you that this is not all that it means. He did not do this to simply give us another ritual to perform in public worship. Please do not accuse me of making light of my "foot-washing" friends. Understand me to be saying that Jesus was not just washing feet, rather, He was revealing a lifestyle. As Christians we are to be humble, and be willing to serve God and our fellowpeople. It is almost impossible to wash someone's feet without stooping. We are never to be afraid to stoop to render a service to others in Jesus' Name. Paul wrote about the humility of Jesus in Philippians 2:5-8: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7. But made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." This is a call to the same kind of humilty that is willing to wash feet. Let's follow the example of Jesus and see ourselves as servants of God, willing to do even menial things to win others to Him. Try it. It won't hurt one bit! Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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