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 NIV
One of the most humbling parts of our mission trip to India happened in a small village in a farming area. We had come in and given out free dental hygiene kits and shared the gospel with children at a church that consisted of nothing more than a tin roof with rough boards for siding and old carpets laid on the dirt for a floor. At the end of the service a girl of about 13 years old (I think the pastor’s daughter came to the front and with tears of gratitude began to thank us for our visit. Then with the help of her friend these two youngsters insisted on washing our feet. I never felt so unworthy and yet strangely grateful in all my life and their expression of the love of Jesus has left an impact in my heart for a lifetime.
But as moving as that experience was, I have learned over the years that it is easier to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to serve, than to remember those closest to us. In today’s verse you will notice that Jesus did not go looking for someone to serve. He simply took off His outer robe of a Rabbi and put on the towel of a servant and started washing the dirty feet that sat around the table with Him.
So if you are wondering what your calling is or how you can “Change the world”, be encouraged that you don’t have to wait for another day to go overseas on a missions trip. We have an open invitation from God right now to wash the feet that are closest to us. If that seems hard, then imagine how Jesus felt while He was washing the feet of Judas – His betrayer, Peter His Denier and Thomas His doubter. And yet the Son of God put aside all that and showed them His love as one scrub at a time He made dirty feet clean!
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Thank you. Lord. Help me to do as you did.
Great post.
Many times, as I am drying dishes, in service to my family, I look at my dishtowel and think of Christ’s humble service with his towel.
May He give us all the grace to grow more in humility each day. 🤗
Amen Sally…thanks!
Whether serving is a chore or a privilege depends on your perspective. 😉
You make a great point here, Pete. Jesus washed all the disciples feet. Even though He knew who would betray, deny, and doubt Him.
Amen Dave and it makes me think about how we are sometimes ultra picky about whose feet we feel like washing.
Great, simple encouragement Pete.
Carole
Thank you Carole. Have a good weekend. Blessings
This is such a powerful example to me of the attitude I need starting here at home when I care for Aaron. I’ll admit that at times my attitude is just the opposite of what you wrote, but God gently deals with my heart over and over. I love that I can serve God under our own roof, and I love what you wrote about how Jesus served where He was.
You are God’s hands right where you are and to us who read your stories. Thank you!
Thank you, Pete.
I never thought about how Jesus must have felt to wash the feet of His betrayer. It’s easy to think we could be justified in refusing someone for one reason or another, but not in light of that.
Yes it’s humbling and a good reminder for me when I start complaining about other people.