“Do you understand what I have done for you?” ~John 13:12-15

“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. “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 one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” ~John 13:12-15

Jesus was teaching His disciples how authentic humility works by demonstrating in “real time' - Jesus is about action, not just words. Recall Him pointing out the Pharisee publicly praying about his ‘humility’ in Luke 18 and comparing him to the distraught tax collector who truly was repentant.

I saw this authenticity myself several years ago. My aunt had feet that needed tending to and my cousin (who had a great aversion to feet) very lovingly cared for them daily with medicine, creams and bandages. Time stood still and I felt that I was in the presence of Jesus washing feet some 2000 years ago. That image will never leave my mind.

Jesus doesn’t intend for us to go around washing each other's feet - at that time, it was a servant’s job to wash those of anyone entering the home - it was dirty work - mud, manure, garbage covered sandaled feet that walked for miles every day. No pretty pedicures back then!

His point is to have the heart of a servant - always putting others above yourself.

James 4:10 ““Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.”

1 Corinthians 10:24 “No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.”

Father, give us that servant’s heart - one that reflects Your Son. Let us serve one another in love and bear Your image in all that we do. And may we act with joyful willingness, even in the hard things. In Your Son’s name, we pray. Amen.