John 13:14- If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it’s your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another’s feet. (Amplified Version)
Luke 22:26-27- But his is not be so with you; on the contrary, let him who is the greatest among you become like the youngest, and him who is the chief and leader like one who serves. For who is the greater, the one who reclines at table (the master), or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am in your midst as One Who serves. (Amp)
Jesus was talking about the people who are being well-doers and having authority over others. Christ states that He is the One who serves and if we are to be Like Christ---we are to do contrary (opposite) of what the way the world thinks we should. We should humble ourselves as Christ did and serve others.
All was ready for the Last Supper, to the very water to wash the feet of the guests, according to custom. But there was no slave to do the work. Each one waits for the others; none of the twelve thinks of humbling himself to do the work. Even at the table they were full of thought, who should be greatest in the kingdom they were expecting? All at once, Jesus rises (they were still reclining at the table), lays aside His garment, girds Himself with a towel, and begins to wash their feet. Christ, the Creator and King of the universe, at Whose command legions of angels are ready to serve Him, Who might with one word of love have said which one of the twelve must to the work---Christ chooses the slave’s place as His own, takes the soiled feet in His own Holy hands and washes them. He does it in full consciousness of His Divine Glory. For the hands into which God has given all things, nothing is common or unclean. No matter how low or seemingly unimportant the work is, the person honors and elevates the work, and imparts his own worth even to the lowest, seemingly unimportant job or service. In such deep humiliation, as we humans call it, our Lord finds Divine Glory. It is as the Son He is the servant. Just because He is the Beloved of His Father, in whose hands all things are given, it is not difficult for Him to be humbled lowly. He takes the form of a servant.
Matthew 20:26-28- Not so shall it be among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you must be your slave. Just as the Son of Man come not to be waited on, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free]. (Amp)
A servant is always caring for the work and interest of his master, and is ever ready to let his master see that he only seeks to do what will please or profit him.
If we seek to bless others, it must be in the humble, loving readiness with which we serve them, not caring for our own honor or interest. We must follow Christ’s example in washing the disciples’ feet. A servant counts it no humiliation, and is not ashamed of being counted an inferior; it is his place and work to serve others. The reason why we so often don’t bless others is that we wish to address them as their superiors in grace or gifts, or at least their equals. If we first learn from our Lord to associate with others in the blessed spirit of a servant, what a blessing we should become to the world! When once this example is admitted to he place it ought to have, the power of His presence would soon make itself felt.
And what is now the work the disciple has to perform in this spirit of lowly service? The foot washing speaks of a double work:
2) For the cleansing and saving of the soul.
Remembering that the external body is the gate to the inner and spiritual life, one makes the salvation of the soul the first object of his holy ministry of love. At the same time, however, seeking the way to the hearts by the ready service of love in the little and common things of daily life is just as important. It isn’t by reproof that one is a servant; no but by the friendliness and kindness with which he proves in daily activities, that he always thinks how he can help or serve, he becomes the living witness of what it means to be a follower of Christ. From such a person who is willing to serve, comes power, and he finds easy entrance and favor. And then, when he comes into contact with the sin and contradiction of men, instead of being discouraged, he perseveres as he thinks with how much patience Jesus has given him, and still daily cleanses him, he realizes himself to be one of God’s appointed servants, to lower oneself lower to serve and save men, even to bow at he feet of others, if this be needed---not in worship to the person, but in service to him.
When Jesus came to Peter to wash his feet, Peter resisted Him, saying, “Lord, are my feet to be washed by You?” (John 13:6). Imagine for a moment how you would feel if Jesus told you that He wanted to wash your feet. You would probably feel hesitant, as Peter did, thinking that you should be the one washing Jesus’ feet, instead of Him washing yours, right? How did Jesus respond to Peter? Jesus said that unless Peter let Him do this, he would have no part in Him. (John 13:7-8)
Jesus was saying to His disciples, and to us, that unless we are willing to serve one another, we have no true part in Him or in each other. If we love someone to the highest degree, we will be willing to serve that person---however and whatever is needed.
The spirit which will enable one to live such a life of loving service can be learned from Jesus alone. For love, nothing is too hard. To bless someone, however we feel who is unworthy, it willingly gives up all. We, as servants, have to give up our fleshly thoughts over people and focus on the their spiritual needs. It was love that made Jesus a servant. It is love alone that will make the servant’s place and work such a blessing to others. We may, like Jesus, have to wash the feet of some Judas’s, who rewards us with ingratitude and betrayal. We may meet many Peter’s who at first refuses and then is dissatisfied when we don’t comply with his impatience. Only love, a heavenly, unquenchable love, gives the patience, the courage, and the wisdom for the great work the Lord has set before us, His Holy example of washing feet.
In our relationship with Christ, He calls us to sacrifice our self-will. We aren’t to be served, but to serve. We are to be sensitive to other’s needs, even I little things. We, Like Christ, should seek to serve others rather than merely letting them serve us. When we have people in our lives who serve us in various ways, we should always treat them with utmost respect and be good to them.
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