“So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13‬:‭14‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I’m trying to think if there’s anything in today’s society comparable to the foot washing custom of Jesus’s time. It seems particularly demeaning.

For one thing, feet are gross, generally. They sweat and smell bad and are weird looking. Toe jam should not be a thing.

Also, touching someone’s feet seems somewhat intimate which makes things awkward and uncomfortable.

Finally, I must be below someone to wash their feet. Literally. They will be looking down on me, again, literally, but probably figuratively too.

So I’m coming up empty with anything in my culture as demeaning as what Jesus modeled for His disciples.

In today’s verse, He explains that His followers are to do exactly that — follow. Jesus didn’t wait for anyone to ask Him for a foot-washing, He jumped in willingly to meet the need. And I should look for ways to serve as well, following His example.

As a follower of Jesus, I need to have the kind of attitude about myself that will allow me to volunteer to do humiliating things in service of others.

Humiliating things. Humbling things. Demeaning things. Like Jesus did.

A major hallmark of Christianity should be humility. Number one is love. Jesus said they’ll know we are Christians by our love. I think the second distinguishing characteristic of Christians must be humbleness. Love and humility are wrapped up together and cannot be separated.

Oh wouldn’t it be wonderful if Christians were known for love and humility. For being willing to serve anyone in any way at any time. Even cleaning out the toe jam.

Dear God,

Thank you for the beautiful example of humility Jesus set with washing His disciples feet at the last supper. Please forgive me for failing to have that kind of humility. Forgive me for thinking some ways of serving others are beneath me. Teach me how to be the kind of representative you want. Help me to put pride and arrogance behind me.