A Message of the Cross: Serving All

As we come closer to Jesus laying down His life in the Gospel of John, we find Him already in the process of laying down his life as a servant.

John 13:1–6 (ESV): Jesus Washes the Disciples' Feet

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

What Jesus does here is profound. He inverts all that was thought and known about Kingship and for that matter leadership; bringing it all into the economy of God's Kingdom where we can trade ashes for something beautiful (Isaiah 61), where first is last and last is first (Matthew 20:16), where you lose your life to save it (Matthew 16:25).    

The cross is the ultimate inversion of what was understood about love and loving; of leading and serving: —a King; who's earthly throne was the cross, thorns His crown. We can see a change in emphasis from leading through strength, power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit, to also leading from a place of service and surrender to God's will (John 13). 

As we contemplate what Jesus is doing here not long from sacrificing His life in death for us; think about whose feet He is washing.   

We are taught that confrontation and confronting is a part of leading. But Jesus presents another way: serving and surrendering to your followers. After all, Jesus said He didn't come to be served, but to serve (Mark 10:45, Matthew 20:28). Confrontation is a necessary part of life and leadership. Still, I believe we need to emulate Jesus in His extreme service.  

“Christ-like Serving Requires High Levels of Vulnerability.  ”

A concept that clings tightly to serving is vulnerability. We see vulnerability in many ways in this passage. 

Whose feet is He washing? 

Being like Jesus is about serving, and serving as Christ did is about vulnerability.  

He washed the feet of His followers. We can embrace that theologically, I think. Even it is a stretch for us. We can get to the place where we may need to serve those we lead; those who are good followers. But that's where we stop. 

Whose feet is He washing? 

Not just those of His followers; but also the dissenter among them. The one who would betray Jesus and the one who was indignant when Christ's feet were washed by Mary's tears, and her hair, and anointed with costly oil. John 13 opens with Jesus being aware of Judas' intent to betray Him.    

But He still washed Judas' feet.  

Matthew 5 helps us to understand why.   

Matthew 5:43-45

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. 

Jesus didn’t only serve those who followed Him, but He served everyone.  Who are we serving?  Family"? Friends? What about enemies and outsiders? 

Jesus served all.