Act Like It

“I assure you: A slave is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” John 13:16-17 HCSB

Just recently a minister was arrested for the murder of three people. Many of the people in the community could not believe it was possible. The man seemed to be so loving and caring, preaching the Gospel each Sunday, but he was actually accused of being a murderer. There is nothing much worse than someone who puts on a front and acts a certain way to gain the applause or acceptance of others when he is really living a secret life that does not measure up to what he professes.

Jesus admonished His disciples to live out what He had just taught them by washing their feet. A master should be willing to serve, but the servant should be willing to do what the master has told him to do and a messenger should be willing to go where his master sends him. We are servants and messengers for Jesus and should be willing to go and do whatever He commands us to do. Our service to others is evidence of our commitment to be a follower of Jesus Christ.

Challenge: The Message Bible translates these verses as, “If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it – and live a blessed life.” Do you understand what Jesus wants you to do? Are you practicing what you preach? Do others see Jesus in your life and actions?

Washing Your Feet

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. So if I your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.” John 13:12-15 HCSB

The materials “Lead Like Jesus” helped me examine how Jesus led and taught His disciples. At the last class one of the exercises was to “wash the feet of the others in the group.” This was done in a symbolic way with each one kneeling and taking a cloth to wipe the dust from the shoes of the others in the group. This was a humbling experience for me and reminded me of how I needed to humble myself and serve others.

In Jesus’ time the roads were dusty and most people wore open sandals, so it was common for the host to provide a slave to wash the feet of guests when they arrived. Evidently when the disciples gathered for the Passover meal, this task had been overlooked. The washing of feet was reserved for the lowest slave, usually a non-Hebrew slave. Consequently Jesus put Himself in the lowest of all positions when He washed the feet of His disciples. He was the most unlikely person to do such a task, but He wanted to teach that they must become servants to each other and to those they encountered if they were be servants of Jesus Christ.

Challenge: Christ set the example for us. We must model the unselfish ministry of Jesus Christ. We must be willing to lay down our lives for others and take up the towel of humble service to others. Are you following Christ’s example of humble service? Are you willing to give yourself to selfless acts of service for Jesus and others? Pray for opportunities to serve others.