What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?

When his disciples asked Jesus where they would sit next to him in the coming kingdom Jesus said to them, "The greatest among you is the one who serves, for even the Son of Man came not to be served by to serve and give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45.  Today Jesus models for the disciples what that means.  

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

13 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!”

Jesus teaches us several key principles about what it means to be his follower. I.e. What it means to be a servant! A "servant" is someone who empties themselves and considers others as better than themselves. 

1. Nothing was beneath Jesus.  In Jesus' day, servants were the ones who washed the feet of the guests before dinner.  They were also called "slaves",  which meant they had given up all of their rights to serve their master.  They performed menial duties like washing feel among other things.  Incredibly was not beneath the Son of God to wash dirty, grimy feet of those who had been outside all day in sandals. 

2. Jesus took off his outer clothing.  Taking off his outer clothing and wrapping a towel around his waist shows that Jesus chose to serve. It didn't happen by accident nor was he forced to do it.  He intentionally chose to do so.  Since he was near his last days on earth, everything he did from this point on was meant to be remembered by his disciples.  

3. Jesus taught Peter that we are to allow others to serve us as we serve them.  Peter thought it was beneath Jesus to wash his feet, but Jesus quickly corrected Peter.  He let him know that if he could not accept Jesus' service he was not fit to be his follower.  Peter had completely different ideas about what it meant to be Jesus' follower.  He would soon find out just how big that difference was, but later he would grow to be a servant.  

Do people view you as a servant?  Do you expect others to serve you or do you intentionally choose to serve others?  Is there anything beneath you?  If so, why?  Every day we follow Christ is a day to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and serve him by washing other's feet.  Let's get to work!