John 13 - A Lesson in Humility!


Click Here to Read John 13
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!”
If it is too much for Jesus to come to earth as a human being, in this passage Jesus goes one step further and washes his disciples' feet. This was the job of the menial servant to wash the guest's dirty, dusty, and smelly feet.  But as Jesus prepares to go to the cross he uses this moment to show the disciples his true nature.  And it is critical for Jesus that his disciples know why he is washing his feet.  
So when Jesus comes to Peter, Peter resists as if to protect Jesus from doing such a lowly thing.  Peter is pretty incredulous and states in no uncertain terms, "Lord you will NEVER wash my feet".  But then surprisingly Jesus rebukes Peter and says, "Unless I wash you, you have no part of me."  Obviously this is a big deal to Jesus not just table manners.  
So what is Jesus getting at? Why is this such an important learning moment for Peter as Jesus moves to the climax of his earthly ministry.  I believe for Peter it was beneath Jesus to do the work of the servant.  His image of Jesus was still a Messiah who was going to come in a deliver the Jews from the Romans in a miraculous fashion.  Peter, wanting to manage Jesus' image, did not like this exercise at all. It was bad for ratings and besides beneath the Son of God.
But for Jesus Peter was missing the essential part of who He was.  He did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life for many.  He was setting an example for Peter and the others about what true greatness looked like.  Greatness and power were not about lording it over others but doing the opposite by becoming their servant.    
Jesus' lesson for Peter has great relevance for us today.  Most people think to have influence you need money and power.  But we have lost the art of servant leadership.  Servant leaders can be in any organization or business.  The lead by example and nothing is beneath them even if it means taking out the garbage.  If you ever feel something is beneath just remember the greatest and most influential man in the world took out a towel and washed his disciples' feet.  He gave them an example to follow and told us to do likewise!   

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