Humility & Service

Read John 13:34-35  

Have you ever had someone serve you in an unexpected way? I’m sure the disciples were shocked that someone in authority over them would stoop down to the dusty & dirty ground just to wash their feet. In 8th grade, I remember my Sunday school teacher teaching us about this act of service Jesus performed by washing our feet as an object lesson. I felt uncomfortable, as I knew she saw any imperfections and flaws—I’ve always had eczema and was especially self-conscious about it at the time. As she was a mentor and someone I respected, I felt vulnerable that she would see a part of me that I was self conscious about. 

I’m sure the disciples felt the same way—stripped away, self-conscious, or uncomfortable. This certainly wasn’t typical behavior of a respected teacher to wash their dirty feet. Maybe they remembered the places they had walked during the day, the filth that had acquired on their sandals and feet from the course of a regular day. 

Yet, Jesus didn’t hesitate to wash the feet of His disciples, even the one (Judas) who would betray Him. This is the type of example He asks His disciples to follow. In verses 14-15 Jesus says, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also

should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

They might have been repulsed by His challenge to serve one another so humbly. This type of sacrificial love & service required the disciples to serve in a gritty and real way; there was nothing glamorous or pretty about washing filthy feet that had seen many miles of wear and tear. Even today, while we don’t typically wash the feet of those around us as an act of service, we have the call to humbly serve those around us and to respond with love. 

This is a challenge to us. I’m sure it wasn’t glamorous or easy for my Sunday school teacher to wash the feet of several middle school girls, yet her service and love for us still sticks with me to this day. I want to be humble enough to be able to serve the people around me in the same attitude of love and humility—even the people I don’t agree with or have a hard time getting along with. That is the love for one another that Jesus calls us to have. 

FOR REFLECTION:

• What is a way you can humbly serve someone around you this week?
• Think back to a time you received an act of service. Did it make you feel uncomfortable? How did this act teach you about God’s love?

by Andrea Beck