John 13:12-17
Jesus teaches us to be humble and serve
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 I tell you the truth, 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.
When I first read in John about Jesus washing His disciples feet, I was utterly amazed...Maybe because the world we live in today...Today, our headlines is of leaders, of CEOs, and other powerful figures...It seems, that many, if not most, leaders want to be in control, to be dominant to their peers and staffs...
Jesus washed His disciples feet...He wanted them to be humble and to love one another...St. Peter say this a task to low for his Master...He did not understand at first...Then when he realized the spiritual implications of helping wash his sins away, he wanted a full washing to be sanctified of all of his sins...
Would we see a leader of today, stoop and teach us like this???...I doubt it...Our Master did it to teach us that we must help others...Help them rid them of their sins...We need to keep pride to a minimum and to be humbled...
If we love unconditionally we have an easier time with this teaching...If everyone is treated equally and everyone loves one another this is easier (to understand)...But in our lives there are certain things we choose not to do and things we do not want to do...When we feel this way we need to look at the lesson Jesus taught us...The Master exemplifies the spirit of a humble servant helping one another...
No servant is greater than his Master and no messenger is greater than the One who sent Him...
I would bet that the disciples would have no problem washing Jesus' feet...But He was communicating they would wash the feet of others...How powerful a message, when He was completed...Humbly serve and help others...