Take Up Your Life Towel and Serve
“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.” — John 13: 4-5
Please understand what the condition of ancient biblical feet must have looked and smelled. There were no Nikes or Dr. Scholl’s inserts to provide that Gellin feeling. There were no pedicure shops that made nice designs on well-kept toes. So, the feet of biblical people were hard, worn, and dirty. Biblical feet were the primary mode of transportation that carried people over muddy, dusty or cobblestone roads from place to place for miles without much relief.
And when someone entered a home, especially for a feast, there was always a designated person or servant stationed at the door to wash the feet of each guest. After having their feet washed the guest was now deemed clean enough to enter the house.
In a like manner, Jesus relegated himself to the position of a servant so that your and I could identify with him in all aspects of our daily life. And while hr was on earth as a man, yet fully divine, he set an example of amazing service.
While washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus set an intimate physical and spiritual example of service for his followers. He displayed a deep level of personal humility. The reason the relationship can be understood as intimate is because the soles of your feet contain more sweat glands and sensitive nerve endings per square centimeter than any other part of your body. Thus, Jesus touched the inner spirit of each of his disciples, just as he touches us today.
Jesus performed this awesome display of service to help outline the way we should treat each other no matter how successful we may become. Nothing should impede our love, humility or how we serve our brothers and sisters. We are supposed to serve each other just as if we were washing their feet.
So, today, I petition you to wash a person feet literally or figuratively. Serve someone with your heart. Help someone to feel renewed from the inside out. Serve someone with a spirit of humility that you don’t know.
Pick up something off the printer that isn’t yours and deliver it to the owner. Open a door with a greeting. Give an uplifting comment. Smile and say thank you to those who serve you. Each day, try to expand you service level. And remember that it was our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ who washed your feet first.
