[Jesus] rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:4-5 ESV

You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 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 also should do just as I have done to you. John 13:1-15 ESV

I have experienced both sides of this practice, and both are humbling. My husband and I were visiting a rural Christian church in a foreign country as guests of native missionaries, our friends. Women of the church came with water basins and towels and knelt to wash our feet as we sat in the service. We were humbled by their joy and service as they emulated Jesus’ example. I felt as if I should be washing their feet.

I taught an afterschool program in a local church and our lesson just before Easter had to do with the Passover meal and Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Our art activity was “Following in the Footsteps of Jesus.” Each child took turns painting the bottom of their bare feet and stepping onto a paper to leave their footprints. Then as each one finished and sat in a chair I knelt down and washed and dried their feet. Many asked me to get up; that they would wash their own feet. I knew just how they felt.

Peter balked at Jesus washing his feet. The same as the children did. But Peter relented when Jesus reprimanded him and said, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” But then Peter went overboard and wanted his hands and head washed, too. Are we, too, like Peter sometimes, with our own opinions of what we think Jesus should do or not do? What we should or shouldn’t do?

Jesus was very clear with his disciples and with us. He plainly tells all of us that this is the example we should follow. We all should serve others out of love. God has so loved us, and we are to share that love with others. That doesn’t really mean you have to take a basin and towel and wash other people’s feet, although you could, it is humbling on both sides of the basin.

This week we can follow Jesus’ humble example of love and service by loving those around us and humbly meeting their needs. It could be as simple giving someone a compliment, encouraging someone, really listening to someone’s problems, sitting with someone sick or grieving, cooking a meal, running an errand, babysitting for a single mom, helping with a chore, or even just being a compassionate friend.

Let’s always strive to follow in the footsteps of Jesus by humbly loving and serving others.

I thank God for each of you! And I thank you for joining me this week as follow the example set by our Lord Jesus, to love and serve.

Blessings and joy in His service!