“Whose Feet Do I Want to Wash?” is probably a question we don’t ask a whole lot.  It kind of ranks up there with “Which one of my eyes do I want to poke with this stick?” or “Which Star Wars Prequel should I watch?” But in fact, Christ tells us to wash other peoples’ feet… in a way.

John 13 [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Now we’re not talking that to follow Christ’s example that you have to take out a bucket when people come visit and have them sit on your couch and literally wash their feet. That’s not what the passage is saying.  Thankfully.  Especially if I went to your house.  I hate doing laundry so much that I end up wearing the same pair of socks for at least  three days.

Anyways, in Biblical times it was customary for the lowest person of the household to do the washing of others’ feet since everyone back then wore flip-flops and their feet would get all dusty. So Christ, who is the God of the universe, took the lowliest position’s job.  And if the God of the universe can do it – how much more should we be able to do it for humans who are on the same level as us?

Or are we above God? 

Is something He personally has done beneath us?  Can we not stoop so low to something that God Himself has done? So what do we do? How do I follow Christ’s example?

Ask yourself, what is the lowliest job in my family?  Is it taking out the trash?  Cleaning up the dog’s poop?  Doing the dishes? What is the lowliest position to take with others?  Do I let them call shotgun?  Do I make sure everyone gets more food than I do?  Do I let them pick where they want to eat?  Do I give up my seat for them?

Just think of yourself as the least important.  Pretend you’re the keyboardist in a band.  Or pretend you’re the story in a Michael Bay movie.

In that way, you humble yourself enough to minister in ways you would have never stooped to before. You have to get your hands dirty with ministry.  There is no room for pride when you have a Christ-like love for others. If Christ is willing to get His hands dirty for us, then we should have no problems getting our hands dirty for Him.

Follow Christ’s example of humility. Start with your family.  Do the worst chores out of love and humility.  Then move on to your school, place of work and church. And just be ready when I come over to your house, because I’ve been wearing these same socks for three days.

MK 9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.”

Take Time To Pray:  Ask God for the humility needed to do the lowliest of tasks. Today’s Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness.