John 13:14
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
While Jesus was on earth, He taught us how to serve others. He made water into wine. He fed thousands of people on different occasions. He healed the sick, brought the dead back to life and poured Himself into the lives of His disciples. But, the one example that always stands out to me is how He humbly got down on the floor, took His disciple’s dirty feet and washed them. He washed the dusty, dirty feet of His disciples. Not expecting anything in return, just that they go out and wash one another’s feet.
If Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, could humble Himself and serve the needy and poorest of the poor, then why is it so hard for us to do the same? He did not have to serve anyone. He was and IS God. He did it because He loved those around Him and He loves us today.
Our problem today is that we have to much pride to wash one another’s feet. We think it is beneath us. We are to good to wash someone else’s feet humbly and with love. I’ll admit, I would not be the first in line to wash a stranger’s feet, but in not wanting to step out and serve, what am I saying to my Jesus? In not serving others we miss the opportunity to live out a major part of who Jesus was. He came to serve, not to be served.
Imagine what this world would be like if we all stepped out of our comfort zones to serve others. If we stepped out to serve those that our different than us, those who may make us uncomfortable. What if we looked beyond the color of someone’s skin, or the dirt of the homeless, or the smell of the alcoholic, what if instead of seeing all of these things that make us uncomfortable, we saw Jesus in that person. Remember what Jesus said:
Matthew 25:34-40
34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Challenge: My challenge to you is to keep your eyes and heart open to least of these and step out to serve in whatever way you can. Even if you can’t do much, do what you can. It is the love in service that speaks louder than words and will work miracles in restoring a broken soul. If we all stepped out in the love of Jesus and started serving one another this world could change. We could see peace in the chaos. I’ve not given up on that. Go forth and serve!
Patti Burris 