Amazing Example: Follow the Foot Washer

In Jesus' day, people wore sandals on their feet as they walked across the dusty desert of Israel so their feet got very dirty. When guests entered a house, a good host would make sure that their feet were washed before the meal was served. Foot washing was a job for the servants/slaves. By washing His disciples' feet, Jesus demonstrated His amazing love, humility, and servant heart/attitude. If the Lord and Master/God in the flesh was willing to perform this menial service for His disciples, certainly they and we ought to do it for one another. We, His followers, must also be willing to serve in any way that honors and glorifies God.

"Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:43b-45)
"If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35b)
True service is putting Christ's love in action. The believers' gifts/talents are not to be laid up for selves but laid out in service. Christ calls us to be foot washers/servants of all. As Jesus has loved and served us, so we must love and serve one another! He wants us to follow His example and love people by serving them selflessly and humbly.

We see the perfect model of humble service and servant leadership in Jesus. Serving is others-centered. "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." (Philippians 2:3-5) Humility is losing oneself in service to others. Humility allows us to serve wherever God places us and to do whatever He asks of us.

"When Jesus took off his robe, he was laying aside the symbol of his earthly rank. He was sending a message: Status does not define my disciple; servanthood does...He was doing what he had always done, teaching them how to love one another. Serving like Christ means serving from a place of strength, not of insecurity, compulsion, or the need for approval." (Stovall Weems)
Sadly, some of the church leaders have been consumed by the desire to be rich, popular, and great (in the world's eyes). Instead of humbly serving Christ and others, some use the name of Christ to serve themselves and to satisfy their worldly & selfish ambitions. "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." (Galatians 5:13) We must abandon our pride, selfish ambitions, superior attitude, and prejudice. Instead, approach everyone with the "What can I do for you?" mindset.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, please help us to love and serve others with humility like Jesus does. Please open our eyes to see the needs of others and how we can meet those needs. Please help us to faithfully follow Christ's footsteps. In Jesus's Name, I pray. Amen.

To ponder: What practical things can we do to serve others? How can we demonstrate servant leadership at home, work, church, in ministry or community? Do we serve others with genuine, unconditional love (without expecting anything in return) and Christlike attitude/servant heart/humility?