Thought of the Day !!

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.
John 13:12-14 (TNIV)

The washing of feet was a menial task that was demeaning to those who performed it. When a guest arrived at a person's home, they would wash their own feet unless there was a slave or servant there. Then it was the slaves' task to wash the dirty, muddy, smelly feet.

Jesus had performed this menial task for his disciples as a show of service. He didn't expect each of them to go out on the streets with a basin of water and clean up the feet of Jerusalem. Instead, he was teaching them that to serve, no matter how menial the task or for whom it was performed, was what they were to do.

Earlier Peter had told Jesus that he wouldn't be allowed to wash Peter's feet. This was because the task was beneath Jesus. Jesus proves yet again that he is not the kind of king that the world thinks of. He's one that serves his people. He showed that one last time through his service on a cross where he served all of humankind, giving us a way out.

Jesus said that if the disciples' Teacher and Lord would serve others, then that is what they (and we) should learn. How has the lesson been? Are you serving others? Or are you serving yourself? If Jesus were with you today, what would he say?

Well, he is. He's with you through the mighty Holy Spirit. He's still serving us by continually and lovingly trying to teach us who will listen.

In the love of Christ,
greg