Servanthood or Leadership

Servanthood or Leadership

In the latter days of Jesus’ ministry on earth, He found it necessary to teach in a dramatic manner. A room had been secured for Jesus and the Twelve to celebrate the Passover meal. At the door of the room was a bowl, a pitcher of water and a towel. John 13:1-17

From this passage the practice of washing feet, has become an annual event for some. I believe by doing so, we have misunderstood Jesus’ example. You see in those days, guests feet were washed as they entered a home. In the occasion of John 13, there was no servant present, so each apostle walked past the bowl, pitcher and towel, taking a seat at the prepared table.

I should point out that in those days even a Jewish slave was not to wash the feet of another Jew. So here comes Jesus. Everyone is seated and partaking of the meal. Jesus leaves the table, goes to the door, removes his outer garment and returns to the table, to wash everyone’s feet.

The lowliest of positions, was washing others feet. Up to this point, the apostles had seemingly not fully grasped the teaching and examples of Jesus. Humility, placing others ahead of themselves, would be how they would bring the gospel to the world. Their servant posture and caring behavior was necessary to make disciples.

Experiencing the servant heart of their master, teacher, Savior in this dramatic, culture shattering way, was absolutely needed to bring it home. Our willingness to serve with the heart of our Lord, has the very same effect today. If we are willing to be servants.

I’m certain Jesus does not intend for us the have feet washing services. Why? For one, it is never repeated in the remainder of the NT, nor even mentioned. It isn’t the act, but the motive he was teaching. If we only wash each other’s feet, what kind of Servanthood is that? But if we carry the heart of a Savior who came ‘not to be served but to serve’, then we have truly become His followers.

Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings, Presbuteros