Learning in Christ’s University of Humility and Service

Daily Devotional – Thursday, November 24, 2022
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
John 13:14-15 (NKJV)

For three and a half years, the twelve disciples attended Christ’s university of Humility and Service. One of their last lessons was during the feet washing ceremony. None of them was prepared for the shocker that Jesus had prepared for them.

Who is the Greatest?

This lesson came against a backdrop of pride, arrogance and raw ambition for power among the disciples. For example, in Luke 9:46, we read, “Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest.”

Similarly, in Mark 10:37, James, John and their mother went to Jesus with a demand, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” This caused murmurs and dissatisfaction among the remaining disciples.

Christ Demonstrates Humility

Now, picture the dozen, seated around a dinner table with Jesus. The meal is ready but an important service and person are missing. There is no slave to perform the demeaning task of washing the feet of those at the table.

Visualize the disciples glancing at one another to see who would humiliate himself like a slave. Suddenly, the deafening silence is interrupted by the Son of God. He rises from the table, fills a basin with water, girds Himself up with a towel and starts washing the disciples’ feet.

A Slave’s Duty

When it comes to Peter, the abrasive disciples will hear none of it. Jesus cannot wash his feet! The Lord cannot humiliate Himself before His followers! Why had Peter not volunteered for the task before Jesus took it up?

After Jesus threatens to disown Peter, though, the latter obliges. Once the Master is done washing dirty, smelly feet, He delivers a lesson that applies to all generations of His followers.

Wash One Another’s Feet

The Lord stated, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.” (John 13:14-15).

Which dirty, smelly feet can we wash in this century? People like us who need forgiveness because they are contaminated with the dust of sin. Individuals who are controlled by pride and blind ambition. Persons who live in open sin.

Learning in Christ’s University of Humility and Service

Conversely, however humiliating it is, we should learn to eat humble pie and apologize to those we wrong. We need to allow Jesus and other believers to wash our dirty feet, which are stained with jealousy, anger, bitterness and the desire for revenge.

In His University of Humility and Service, Jesus teaches us to follow His example of forgiveness and service to everyone, including the underserving. Will you allow Jesus and other believers to wash your feet today? Whose feet will you wash?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, wash my feet. Take away my sin and guilt. Teach me to accept correction and to forgive and serve others with humility.