When he had finished washing their feet, he put his clothes on and returned to his place.  “Do you understand what I have done for you?”  he asked them.  “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord”, and rightly so, for that is what I am.  Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash another’s feet.  I have set you an example, that you should do as I have done for you.  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.  Now that you know these things you will be blessed if you do them.  John 13:12-17 NIV

This scripture passage takes place during the Passover meal that Jesus is sharing with His disciples just prior to his arrest.  Judas had already made plans to betray Jesus.  Verse two says that the devil had already prompted Judas to betray Jesus.  Jesus was well aware of the fact that Judas was going to betray Him.  But it doesn’t say that Jesus went around the table and washed everyone’s feet but Judas’.  Jesus’ washed everyone’s feet, Judas included.

Here again is just another prime example of Jesus practicing what He had preached.  In Matthew 5:44 Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for those that persecute us.

The act of washing someone’s feet shows humility.  It shows service.  In those days when they traveled in their sandals their feet became dirty.  Washing someone’s feet for them showed servitude.  I have seen feet washing done in several churches.  Those that do it say that it is very humbling for them to wash someone’s feet.  Those who get their feet washed say that it is though that person is doing them a great service.

Now in the scripture passage prior to this when Jesus gets to Peter, Peter is determined not to let Jesus wash his feet, but then Jesus explains to Him that “unless I wash your feet, you have no part in me”.  This quickly changed Peter’s mind and he was then glad to let Jesus wash his feet.

In today’s competitive world, humility is sometimes hard to find.  As Christians, however, we need to show God’s light wherever we go.  We need to be a shining example of Christianity.  Our pastor often says that we may be the only Bible that some will ever read.

The thing is that we aren’t only read by our friends and our family, but we are read by strangers.  So if someone was to “read” you what would they get.  Would they get a mystery or some type of horror story?  I hope not.  I hope that they would get a shining example of what your Savior has done for you.  Jesus did as He said for us to do and we should do as He did.  You may need to read that once more.  Jesus talked the talk and walked the walk and he expects us to do the same.

Jesus was Lord of Lords and King of Kings but He didn’t let this stop Him from serving those around Him.  We must remember to do the same.  We must remember to reach out to those in humility and show them the same love and service that we have been shown by Jesus Christ, our savior.  We shouldn’t get caught up in thinking that some don’t deserve our kindness.  Do you think Judas Iscariot deserved Jesus’ love and kindness?  Of course not, but Jesus didn’t let that stop him.  For that matter, do you deserve Jesus’ love and kindness?  None of us do.  Romans 3:23 says that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  None of us are good enough to have our feet washed by Jesus, but He serves us and loves us anyway.

The most important thing for us is to remember to do the same for those that God places in our lives.

Have a great day!