John 13:12

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing?”

In the Jewish culture, foot washing was a religious ritual and a form of hospitality, or service performed by a host to guests or wives to husbands, or students to their rabbis.

When Jesus and His disciples reached the Upper room prepared for them to celebrate the Passover meal, they may have been waiting for someone to wash their feet, as customary. Perhaps Jesus inner circle of disciples – Peter, James and John – were engaging in their usual debate of “Who’s the greatest?” Each may have come up with excusese and reasons for his own ineligibility to perform this lowly act.

How do you respond when you see a pressing need for service? Do you wait for someone to be assigned to fulfil it or would you be ready to take the initiative. What if it was beneath your status on beyond the role assigned to you?

Prayer

Lord, help us to understand your heart and mind of service in humility. May we be available and willing to serve just as you were when you washed your disciples feet.