Be Served
John 13
1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
As we look at the story of Jesus in John 13, we see Him once again using cultural and traditional customs to illustrate His point. In this story, Jesus gets up from the table after supper, girds himself as a servant, and begins to wash the disciples’ feet. This was not unusual to have your feet washed as a guest. This was to cleanse the dust and dirt you had been exposed to from the roads on your journey. This act was typically done by a servant, not a peer, and especially not a superior teacher or respected leader. However, Jesus wanted to set an example for his disciples to be able to carry on his ministry after he was crucified.
At first, we like Peter, view this event through traditional eyes and are prone to resist such an act. We would never let someone we looked up to and respect stoop to any level and serve us in such a way. However, Jesus rebuked this attitude. He went as far as to say, if you do not let me serve you, you will have no part in me. It is obvious from the text, this was about spiritual things. Jesus was saying, if we do not acknowledge our need for Him to cleanse us, we will not be able to have the benefits of the relationship with him.
Christ came to this earth and humbled himself to the embarrassment of the crucifixion. He suffered death, to cleanse us from our sins or the filth of this world and make a way for us to enter into a relationship with Him. We have to understand we need the cleansing power of the Cross and his death to serve us. It can be humiliating and even make us feel disrespectful when we consider the underserved Mercy and Grace given to us by the Creator of the universe. Jesus is very clear throughout His word unless we partake in His death on the cross, we will have nothing to do with Him. If we want a relationship and the promises of God, we need to let His Spirit wash over us and cleanse us of the filth of sin and this world.
So we, like Christ have to, in turn, serve in humility those who need the light of this world to shine out of us and lead them to Christ. If we see ourselves through the lenses of social status, judgment, and pride, we will never be able to reach those who are covered in the debris and filth from this world. How can you accept the cleansing of the Spirit of God as He exposes our need for Him, and mirror His grace and mercy by serving others who need to be in relationship with Him?
Prayer: God, help me not be so prideful that I would resist the exposing of my dirtiness by the Spirit. Do not let me be so self-righteous that I would not see my need for you. Help me to apply the Cross to my life by repentance, baptism, and the receiving of your Spirit to be in a relationship with you. Help me to mirror your grace and mercy as I serve others for your Kingdom.