Today in John 13 we read the story of Jesus washing the disciples feet. What King, what ruler, what leader do we typically see washing the dirty feet of his servants...?? I think Jesus, as Lord of all creation, sets the first record for such humble service!
What a rebuke to the pride of the disciples and what a lesson for us today.
After He had sat down for washing the feet of His motley group, He asked the disciples a question: "Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." (John 13:12-15)
Ellen White writes the following:
"The disciples made no move toward serving one another. Jesus waited for a time to see what they would do. Then He, the divine Teacher, rose from the table. Laying aside the outer garment that would have impeded His movements, He took a towel, and girded Himself. With surprised interest the disciples looked on, and in silence waited to see what was to follow. “After that He poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded.” This action opened the eyes of the disciples. Bitter shame and humiliation filled their hearts. They understood the unspoken rebuke, and saw themselves in altogether a new light.
So Christ expressed His love for His disciples. Their selfish spirit filled Him with sorrow, but He entered into no controversy with them regarding their difficulty. Instead He gave them an example they would never forget. His love for them was not easily disturbed or quenched. He knew that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came from God, and went to God. He had a full consciousness of His divinity; but He had laid aside His royal crown and kingly robes, and had taken the form of a servant. One of the last acts of His life on earth was to gird Himself as a servant, and perform a servant’s part." (Desire of Ages, 644)What lessons we can learn from Christ and His humility of service... and you know what is so amazing. Jesus still washes stinky dirty feet today. When we confess our sins and ask His forgiveness, He takes our feet, that have been swift to run into sin, swift to follow the path of evil, and swift to hurt His name... they are bleeding and raw from our battles with self and with the world, yet He gently takes them and washes them and says, "Here, you are mine! I still love you! You are clean again."
What a Master... the Master who became a servant for me!
Tomorrow's Reading: Jer. 36-37 and Ps. 119:25-48
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