Lead by Serving

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. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Most people focus on the act of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples prior to the Last Supper as a major event. While it is, the physical act seems major to us because of its contrast. We don’t wash feet in our culture. We simply don’t have the need. In that day and age, foot washing was a sign of respect for the home and the gathering. Sandals and smelly feet were the order of the day. In today’s culture, Jesus might instead hang up coats and pull out chairs around the table. He might bring water for each person. He might announce each guest to all the others. You can imagine a whole host of things he might do to indicate that he, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, was there to serve.

What comes after the foot washing is true Jesus. “Let me tell you what that means.” And, then he explains it so they can see that the Teacher has shown them how to teach. The Lord has shown them how to lead. It is not by telling, but by showing. It is not by commanding, but by living the example.

Patiently, he teaches. Yes, you recognize me as a religious teacher, a rabbi, for I am that. Yes, you know that I do have authority over you. So when you see me do these things you will know how to follow me. If you are my disciples you will learn by watching. You will see all that I do and use my life as your textbook, your scroll, your direction on what to do.

For many years people had bumper stickers and wrist bands and little reminders, “What Would Jesus Do?” or WWJD? These were simple reminders that if you are a follower of Jesus Christ you need to be a student of Jesus Christ. You need to study his life and his words and his actions and learn from them. He needs to be the model. He needs to be the object of your affection. He needs to be the desire of your heart.

The apostle Paul’s great desire was to know Christ, and even to suffer with him and experience the death, burial and resurrection. In Romans 6 he talks about baptism allowing the believer to experience that passion and rebirth. In many epistles he tells the churches he’s writing to about his deep desire to know Christ deeper. And then, Paul also uses the words that all great teachers use. You have seen me. Do as I do.