A High Standard of Lowliness

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 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. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”(John 13:12-17).

After Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, he explained to them the meaning of what he had done. He told them that although he was their teacher and Lord, he had to wash their feet and they should also do the same for each other. He had set an example that his disciples should follow, you and I also. Jesus continued to explain that servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sends them.

John 13:17:“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

All Christians are Jesus’ servants and messengers:

─ We serve him as our Lord and Savior

─ We as messengers spread the Word of God by mouth and by our actions.

We Christians almost always forget verse 17. Jesus said if we know these things and do them, we will be blessed. We must be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we may discern what the will of God is, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2). Then only can we be servants and messengers to Jesus and to our fellow humans.

We prefer to conform to this world and forget our duties to mankind and our Lord Jesus. Pride blocks us from obeying the words of Jesus. We do not want to leave our comfort zones. We think and say in our hearts, “she or he is not of my ‘class,’ they are beneath me. Why should I even speak with them or why should I wash their feet?”

Remember doing this brings blessings from God. Who are you? Are you more than your master, Jesus, whom you are serving? Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth(Matthew 5:5). Let us be meek and humble for there is no class in the eyes of God. He created us in his own image.

Prayer: We thank you God for the breath of life in us and for today’s reading. We are weary and carry heavy burdens of pride in order to please society. We bring them all to you today so that we may have rest. Help us to take your yoke upon us and learn from you, to be gentle and humble in heart and find rest for our souls. In Jesus’ name we pray.  Amen.