“Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”
John 13:3-5 NLT
Jesus was and still is the ultimate example of a true servant. As I have read through the gospels, I feel that God has been reminding me of this foundational truth – that to be an authentic follower of Christ, you must have a servant’s heart.
Jesus knew that Judas had already been prompted to betray him and that this would be his last chance to be with all of his disciples before things dramatically changed. Jesus stood from the table, removed his robe, and wrapped a towel around his waist. This towel was essentially an apron that a servant typically wore, and to us, it does not seem fitting for a King to wear.
Yet Jesus humbled himself and washed his disciple’s feet, even Judas. The very one who had it already in his mind to betray him, had his feet washed by the Savior of the world. What an incredible example of how we are meant to live our lives. Jesus didn’t condemn or banish Judas, but rather chose to serve him. He didn’t call him out and exclude him, but instead showed him the same amount of care and respect.
I want to serve the way Jesus served and I want to love the way He loved. My prayer today is that the way we view servanthood would be drastically changed, so that we can impact the world the way Jesus did.
1 Comment
Beautiful! And I can’t help but think that Jesus was preparing the disciples by anointing their feet to spread the Gospel. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!'” Cleansing their feet to prepare them for their mission.