John 13: 5 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.

Here is Jesus the Son of God down on his knees washing the dirty feet of his disciples. What is that all about? Is this the same Jesus whose birth was announced by angels and of whom it was said: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord”? (Luke 2: 11) And when he was baptized by John did not the heavens open and the Holy Spirit descend in the form of a dove and didn’t the voice of God the Father say: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased”?  (See Luke 3: 21-22) What on earth then is he doing washing dirty feet?

Jesus was demonstrating to those who follow him that in order to serve him, we will often have to take the lowest place, that of a servant. How radical is that? This makes me squirm. What about you? It made Peter squirm too as he asked in amazement “Lord are you going to wash my feet?” He resisted with every fiber of his being until Jesus said: “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” Peter then gladly submitted because he realized that separating from his Lord was more than he could bear.

Taking the place of a servant runs counter to everything in our culture which worships self-actualization, self-promotion and instant gratification. But Jesus lovingly explained that if we recognize him as Teacher and Lord, which he is, then we must also humble ourselves and follow his example because no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. (See John 13: 12 – 17). A servant serves, and a true servant serves willingly.