Work 4

John 13:14-15

Becoming a Christian doesn’t happen overnight. We may have a conversion of the heart that changes us in an instant. We may turn our souls over to God and let Jesus into our hearts so the Holy Spirit will work within us, and that only requires a moment, but to become mature in our faith requires time and learning.

I think back on all the people who have influenced me over the years. My desire to be in ministry, to focus on outreach and mission, to show compassion, to teach have all been developed by the example of other Christians. Watching and learning and imitating the good work of others may make us into strong and “fruitful” Christians ourselves.

In John’s account of the Last Supper Jesus wraps a towel around his waist, gets a large bowl of water, and washes the dirty feet of his disciples. It was a moment of caring, of offering cool refreshment and cleansing to those he cared for. What did Jesus want his disciples to learn? What had Jesus done? Does his lesson go beyond dirty feet?

In that time of foot-washing Jesus set an example for his disciples. In that moment he humbled himself to them, taking on the position not as Lord and master, but of a lowly servant. He met their physical needs through his own work. Then he commanded them to do the same.

The lesson was not that these followers should go about washing the dirt from everyone’s feet, although that may be required now and then. The bigger lesson was that true followers of Christ would imitate the attitude.

If we will follow Christ and live out lives as Christians, then we need to be humble enough to be willing to serve other people in their need, even if that means doing some dirty work. It means that we should find the need and then answer that need, correcting the problems and helping in very practical ways as well as in spiritual ways.

It also means that we should be the ones doing the work. We don’t identify the dirty feet and suggest that they be cleaned. We should be the ones who kneel and wash. We should be the ones who put our whole selves into the service of others.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Can you identify “dirty feet” that need to be washed? How will YOU do it?