Let Us Serve With HUMILITY

This post has been on my spirit since the Sunday before last and The Holy Spirit has been prompting me everyday since then with signs to get it out so here goes 🙂

On that day I went into catechism class and the lesson for that day was the washing of one another’s’ feet.  Now, weeks prior I knew that this lesson was coming up and when it was first mentioned I was a little against the idea.  I had no desire to wash someone else’s feet. That is something that I have never thought I would be comfortable doing.  So as the weeks passed prior to that specific day I consistently thought about this lesson but (I am ashamed to say) never looked it up within the Bible to learn about its significance. However, that Saturday before class I read John 13.  I studied this within the study Bible and researched foot washing to gather a better understanding.  So when I got to class that Sunday I knew the importance of this act of service but I did not know the feeling I would feel during the actual foot washing.

For those who are not familiar with John 13, see below:

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

John 13:1-17

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

² The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. ³ Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; ⁴ so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. ⁵ After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

⁷ Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

⁸ “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

⁹ “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” ¹¹ For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

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

After reading this, researching, and going through the lesson with Pastor Genny I realized this is more than just washing someone’s feet.  This is a humbling experience.  An experience that would teach one to serve one another as Jesus has served and continues to serve us.

As I washed my classmate’s feet and prayed over her my heart softened (not saying it was ever hardened) towards her and her life.  I had a compassion for her as if I was caring for myself or my kiddies.  I wanted nothing but greatness for her and her family as well as future plans in life.  I wanted God to bless her all the days of her life and prayed that she has discernment when dealing with everyday life.  Then as she washed my feet and prayed over me I continued to pray for her but more intensely.  She had truly become my sister under Christ.

 

Now some may be thinking, as I did previously, “NOPE this is something I cannot do and will not ever do” BUT do you realize Jesus was the one washing the disciples feet? Jesus washed ALL 12 disciples feet, this includes Judas, his betrayer.  Jesus was nothing but good to Judas and he turned around and betrayed Him.  Now prior to washing Judas’ feet Jesus was aware of his betrayal to come, John 13:2, yet He still washed his feet and loved him to the very end.

So what does that mean for us? Are we to go around just washing feet with no substance behind it and filled with resentment for the act, NO.  The meaning of this sacrament is to humble yourself.  Serve one another according to God’s will and with HUMILITY.  This sacrament is to cleanse ones’ spirit and love on one another.  EVEN THOSE WHO WE FEEL IS BENEATH or HAS BETRAYED US.  John 13:8 says  “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 

So as Christians, though this sacrament is not practiced regularly within some churches, this is still a sacrament of God.  He wants us to be able to serve others and serve them with the Love of God within us.  Never feel that you are above this act or any other act of service because God judges your heart.  Cleanse your heart of the pride within because one of the things God do not like is a prideful heart.  And, how can you be a part of his kingdom with that thorn of pride sticking out?

~Livingwithpurpose720