…so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
A video or movie is nothing more than a series of still images strung together and shown in sequence. The pictures are shown one at a time. When this happens fast enough the pictures seem to blur together into one moving picture.
John’s gospel is a bit like a movie. Still pictures strung together into a moving narrative about Christ. Yet each picture is worth looking at. Today’s pictures come just after John tells us that Jesus has “all things” under his power. “All things,” in this context, means all things. All things on earth and in heaven. Imagine all the superheroes that have ever appeared in a comic or a movie combined into one. Their combined power would not even register on a power gauge calibrated for the power needed to control “all things.”
In today’s verse, this person with power over the entire universe steps into the role of the lowliest servant on earth. In terms of personal service to another human being, there was nothing more humble than to wash feet. This is what Jesus did.
Not only did Jesus take on the role of servant, but the people he served included the man who would betray him. He wasn’t serving anyone important in the worldly sense. Instead, he cleaned the feet of fishermen and a tax collector among others. Had these people even had someone wash their feet before? The tax collector, maybe.
In this still frame of John’s movie of Jesus’ life, we see the heart of Jesus on display. He is a servant to his Father and a servant to those he loves. Here we see a real superhero in action.
Let’s Discuss: How do we as modern-day followers of Christ apply this lesson in our lives?
We live humbly. No task, person, or role is beneath us. Even our leaders are to be servants to others. I think a lot about how to treat the homeless population in a way that is consistent with Jesus example. I think it has to start with our attitude and then work it’s way into our decisions and actions.
Well said, Nathan. In fact, if I remember correctly, the superhero’s of my childhood generally reflected the qualities that you mention. Lately, though, they have come to reflect more of our current “me” culture.
We follow our Leader… we “wash feet” and serve as a humble servant. The goal is so simple, and yet so difficult to put into action.
Rich,
I agree: Simple is not always easy. Doing what is right is not always easy either. I guess that is another reason we need Jesus in our lives.
I couldn’t agree more in that there is a vast difference concerning the simplicity of this truth in principle as opposed to the ease with which it may be put into practice.
The marriage between one’s head knowledge and their heart’s understanding is not always so intertwined; nor are one’s actions always a clear manifestation to their intent. We can fool even ourselves. Of course, God knows how to try the reigns of our hearts, but that is a different topic.
This is a really hard one for me to reconcile personally. As you say Jeff, yet another reason why we need Chris in our lives. Subsequently, what does this means for understanding and growing in these things?
I think there is a truth to try and put into practice wherever we are at, so that we can grow in it, but also not to be fooled by our own “goodness” in these areas and always be open to allowing Christ to work in a greater degree of humility to our lives.
I don’t pray for his hand here nearly enough, and it is one area I know I am particularly weak in for many reasons. But I could likewise stand to simply step forward more from where I am at in faith knowing he can work to bring about more humility in my heart through such a process.
Bottom line for me, is that I have to give him this room to work. I suppose I struggle here because my circumstances with my health and mobility make it hard to practice in any widespread fellowship or outreach, and at times even in basic interaction/exposure with others.
I think situations like this can make it discouraging because that’s where you find the most opportunity to put this into practice and grow.
But I also agree with Nathan in that it comes genuinely, or it should, as an outpouring of our attitude. This I can work on in relative solitude, but I feel as if I gain so much more when I am able to complete the loop by having ample situations to put this into practice. And that’s why I think being a part of the body, and not hauling off somewhere alone and away from the world is so important. Anyhow, those are just my thoughts as I can tend to struggle here. Thanks everyone for sharing.