Service to Others

It's Maundy Thursday -  a day Christians recognize for Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper and His lesson of how we  should treat others; how we should serve; and whom we should reach out to serve.

Last year, Pope Francis celebrated the washing of feet and drew criticism because of whose feet he washed.  There was concern that some feet were not worthy to be washed.

We would dispute that... recognizing that as Jesus came to serve all and demonstrated the full extent of His love, we too should serve fellow Christians and others in love and humble service.  

That's a high calling and one most of us fail at miserably each and every day. 

The Bible has many lessons and instructions and I fail to follow each one in its entirety.  Thankfully, because of His sacrifice my sins are forgiven.  

We can place ourselves in the Upper Room - would we volunteer to wash the dirty, filthy feet of others or would we look for an easy out?  Instead, and as difficult as it might be - let's look through the eyes of Christ and use this example of humble service in serving others.

From Biblegateway.com:

John 13: 1- 17     New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for Him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.   

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him.


He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”
Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
"Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For He knew who was going to betray Him, and that was why He said not every one was clean.

 When He had finished washing their feet, He put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them.  

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.  

I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.