So he [Jesus] got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet drying them with the towel he had around him. John 13:4-5 NLT

You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. John 13:13-15 NLT

I have experienced both sides of this service, and both are humbling. My husband and I were visiting a rural Christian church in a foreign country as guests of native Christian missionaries who are our friends. Several 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. But I felt as if I should be washing their feet.

I later worked with 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 feet and then 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 of the children asked me to get up; that they would wash their own feet.

Peter balked at Jesus washing his feet, just as the children did. But Peter relented when Jesus reprimanded him and said, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to 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 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 Jesus, to love and serve.

Blessings and joy as we serve others with the love of Jesus!