It's Not About Dirty Feet
Slaves Are Not Greater Than Their Master
In the book of John chapter 13, prior to their final meal together, Jesus washes the feet of the twelve.
'After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 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 ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. John 13:12-15 (NLT)
Jesus shocked them by going against cultural standards and norms as it relates to class and social hierarchy. Lowering himself in such a way that it would be considered scandalous at that time. This is much like the imagery we see in Jesus' parable of the prodigal son, when the father disregarded his dignity and ran to meet his estranged son returning home.
Jesus, whom the disciples now knew to be not just teacher, but Lord, gave the Master Class on humility and serving. An example that we also as Jesus' followers, should strive to do.
Then in the very next verse, verse 16 of John 13, Jesus goes on to say this:
I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. ' John 13:16 (NLT)
These words elevate his act of love and self-deprecation from a beautiful example, to an outright admonition. It's as if Jesus is saying, "When you start getting full of yourself, remember that I emptied myself. You are not above me". This begs a question that each of us must answer for ourselves. If God's own Son would debase himself to make you fit for fellowship with him, is there anything he could ask you to do that would be beneath your dignity?
We see this leadership principle, that today might be phrased in this way; "I would not ask you to do anything I would not do myself".
Jesus knew what the next 24 hours held. He knew the agony that awaited him. He would be arrested, falsely accused, beaten, mocked, and humiliated. Pilate would have him tortured and crucified. Certainly even worse was the spiritual toll that he would bear by taking on the sins of the world, so that he could quench God's wrath on our behalf. Much like the washing of the disciples' feet, let this be a reminder that when we suffer loss, humiliation, persecution or even death, for the sake of fidelity to Christ, that Jesus would not ask us to do anything that he hasn't already done. We are not greater than Jesus. This is why Peter writes:
'Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. '1 Peter 4:12-13
As we approach the celebration of His resurrection, let us first let our hearts humbly consider the the cost of His crucifixion and the cost that may be asked of the Christ-follower.
When Jesus said that the messenger is not more important than the one who sends the message, he wasn't talking about dirty feet.
Bro. Marty Earls
Freeman Heights Baptist Church invites you to join us for our Good Friday Service Friday April 7, 2023 at 7:00 pm.
