Thursday 02 April 2015
- Bible Book:
- John
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.” (vv. 3-5)
Psalm: Psalm 116
Background
The washing of the disciples' feet isone of the iconic depictions of Jesus in the New Testament. Thestory, found only John, is that Gospel's version of the lastsupper. In the accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke we hear of Jesussharing bread and wine with his disciples. In John, however, thereis no reference to bread and wine but rather to this washing offeet.
For Methodists, and Methodist deaconsin particular, this image has particular resonance. The bowl andtowel have long been one of the key symbols of the MethodistDiaconal Order, primarily because they want to remind themselvesand others that a diaconal ministry is one of service to others.However a diaconal ministry, properly understood, is not unique todeacons. Methodists have long believed that we are all called,whether lay or ordained, presbyter or deacon, to a ministry of'diakonia', a ministry shaped by servanthood.
So what is going on in this story, andwhat does Jesus hope to achieve by washing the feet of hisdisciples? I want to suggest that this should be seen to be farmore than merely an illustration or object lesson. Rather we oughtto understand this story as offering insight into how Jesusunderstood servant leadership; the greater serves the lesser. Touse the words of Matthew 20:28 popularised by Graham Kendrick inhis song 'The ServantKing', Jesus came "not to be served but to serve".
What does this mean for those who seekto be servants of the Servant? It means at least that we model ourunderstanding of ministry and leadership on this one who washed hisdisciples' feet.
Jesus washing the disciples' feet isnot merely a kindly thing to do; rather it is radical andscandalous. We get some impression of this from Peter's protest:How can I allow you to lower yourself so fully to wash my feet? Youwill never wash my feet.
Yet I am struck that Jesus is able tooffer such radical servanthood because he knows who he is. Knowingthat the Father had given all things into his hands, that he hadcome form from God and was going back to God Jesus got up from thetable, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself andwashed his disciples' feet.
True service is possible only when wehave a realistic understanding of our identity in Christ. Then wediscover the freedom to humble ourselves.
One reading of
To Ponder
- How far are you able to serve others with humility? Or do youfind ways of looking like you are humble without actually becomingso?
- To what extent do you agree that humility is only possible ifyou know your true worth?