Jesus “took off his outer garments” (Jn 13:4a). Our outer garments are often our expressions of position, power and acclaim. It might be the expensive branded shirt, themedals and insignia, or the bejeweled cape. Some of these might have been given to us aswell-deserved expressions of appreciation and honor. But when we serve, we shed these.We do not stand on privilege and pomp. We are just servants.Jesus “took a towel and tied it around his waist.” (Jn 13:4b). It is not a sword or a gunthat we have around out waist, which are instruments of power and domination. Rather, itis a towel, a standard tool of servants. When we serve, even as we do exercise authorityand indeed power, we are not authoritarian or dictatorial or domineering.Jesus knelt before his apostles to be able to wash their feet. Jesus literally took thelowest place. Jesus humbled himself before those who were his subordinates. When weserve, no task is too menial for us.Jesus “poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet” (Jn 13:5).What Jesus did was degrading work. It was also an allusion to his humiliating death onthe cross. Jesus did not look to acclaim or glory which he richly deserved. Rather, heembraced the cross, with all its pain and shame. When we serve, our only concern should be those whom we serve, and we look not to our own comfort and privilege. We servesimply in order that those we serve may be refreshed, cared for and loved. And if ever such service causes us great difficulty and even pain, then it is cause for rejoicing.Jesus washed the feet of even his betrayer Judas. Jesus “knew who would betray him”(Jn 13:11a), but he washed the feet of Judas anyway. When we serve, we do notdiscriminate against those who do not like us, or who do not respect us, or who havedone us wrong.Jesus told Peter, “Unless I wash you, you will have no inheritance with me.” (Jn13:8b). The ultimate aim of our service is to help bring people to their eternal reward.Our service is centered and founded on Christ. Our pastoral care is intended to help people grow in holiness and righteousness unto the Lord. We extend to people the love of Jesus, in order that they might grow in that love. We help bring them to their truerelationship as children of the Father, being able to take hold of their eternal inheritance.
A lesson to be learned, a model to be followed
Jesus washed the feet of his disciples to give them a lesson they would never forget.Though washing of the feet is done in churches every Holy Thursday, it is not meant to be done literally for those who are servant leaders. Though there might be occasions thatwill call for it, we do not normally go around actually washing the feet of those whom weserve. The “washing of feet” is not external but rather an internal disposition of the heart.Servant leadership is a posture that calls for humility and unconditional lovingservice.Because this is not easy to do, because the temptation to pride and authoritarianism issomething that will always beset us, Jesus needed to demonstrate what he wanted us tolearn. “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you shouldalso do.” (Jn 13:15). In his call to service as leaders, Jesus now directs us, “you ought towash one another’s feet.” (Jn 13:14b).
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