Foot Washing Humility

In New Testament Times, the roads were hot and dusty.  Everyone wore a form of a sandal or open toed foot covering.  In a wealthy household; it was the lowliest servant’s job to wash the feet of the family and all guests.  When Jesus, the Master, took a basin of water and washed the disciple’s feet; He was showing them and all who read the account, the way Christians are to serve one another.

John 13:3-5  Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;  (4)  He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.  (5)  After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

John 13:12-14  So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  (13)  Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  (14)  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

There are many lowly jobs in society.  Someone has to fill those jobs.  We enjoy modern plumbing.  When the sewer pipes break, some one has to dig into the sewage to fix it.  There is nothing like an icy cold glass of milk on a hot summer’s day.  Farmers have to deal with manure all day long; washing utters, before each milking; cleaning manure out of stalls, hauling manure out to the field.  Health care workers deal with people at their worst and most helpless states.  Morticians see the worst along with firefighters, the military and police. 

Maybe your job is one of the lowly type.  Remember that your LORD not only did the lowliest of jobs and made Himself a servant to His disciples; but endured the humility, pain and suffering of the road to the cross.  He died a sinner’s death being perfect, innocent and righteous.

If we want to be like Jesus Christ, then we must take on the role of a servant.  The word minister means servant.  We need foot washing humility; we need a foot washing attitude.