April 8: Jesus’ example…

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that he should betray Jesus. Because Jesus knew that the Father had handed all things over to him, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, he got up from the meal, removed his outer clothes, took a towel and tied it around himself. He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel he had wrapped around himself… So when Jesus had washed their feet and put his outer clothing back on, he took his place at the table again and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and do so correctly, for that is what I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you too ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example—you should do just as I have done for you.”  (John 13:2-15  NET)

This was the night before Jesus death. The twelve were with Him at the Jewish Passover meal. On a number of occasions they had argued about who would have the highest position in Jesus’ kingdom—and most probably thought it would be a physical kingdom. That night on their way to the room where they were now, they had argued again. How could there be unity and togetherness when these attitudes were at work in them? How could Jesus count on them to finish His ministry?

So Jesus taught them an unforgettable lesson—even with Judas Iscariot at the table. Since they all had walked into the room, taken off their sandals, and been too proud to wash their own feet or wash one another's feet, Jesus did it for them. He was their Lord, the Creator of the Universe,  but He chose to do a job that was normally reserved for slaves. No one even offered to do it in His place, maybe because they were in shock. But in fact His entire life among them was one of serving, and Jesus told them they would need to follow His example.

The Kingdom of God is very different from the kingdoms of this world. Jesus once said about this same issue, "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." In God's Kingdom servants are the greatest. This is what Jesus is teaching when He tells us to wash one another's feet. Our concern should be not who is the greatest, but how can I serve my brothers and sisters?