True Servanthood

Sometimes I enjoy speaking of spirituality. One story that has been pulling on my heart lately is one that I have read many times, but just because I have read it many times doesn't mean I have perfected it's teaching.

One of my favorite stories is of when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. During their cultural time it was customary to wash one's feet before having a communal meal. This was because they walked around in sandals along filthy roads and ate very low to the floor. Your feet would be visible to those you dined with...as well as the smell of your feet. The washing of feet was normally performed by a servant in the house.

Prior to the last supper that Jesus had with his disciples he washed their feet as a slave or servant would do. This has a ton of historical significance. Peter tried to stop him because he thought Jesus was highly respected to be seen washing feet. But Jesus washed his feet anyways.  He was doing the work of the lowliest of servants. The disciples were stunned at this act of humility and condescension, that Christ, their Lord and master, should wash the feet of His disciples, when it was their proper work to have washed His. Jesus reminded the disciples that he came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” 

After Jesus washed their feet he told his disciples to go and do the same. He asked them to wash the feet of others, to go and serve others. He didn't teach them to lord authority over others, but to be humble, to love and to serve others. He didn't teach his followers to think themselves better or higher than others. The true Christian, the true follower will humble himself. He will put himself at the lowest of positions in order to show love to all they encounter.

I am no where near this, though it is what I desire. I desire to show true love and humility towards others. But everyday I am at war with my ego. Whether you are religious or not, I think everyone could learn from Jesus' example to put others first. To share and to love one another. To stop fighting over a higher position.