73 - Washing Feet

<p class="ng-scope" style="margin:5.55pt 0in 5.55pt 0in;">On that final evening in the upper room, Jesus did something that turned our world upside down. Normally, humans think that the more important a person is the more that person should be served and honored. We think important people are too dignified to do lowly tasks. We look for ways to give them special care. We give them the best seat, the best portion, the best of everything. They become the focus of our attention and adulation. So it’s no wonder humans strive to become important. In countless ways, in countless areas of life, people everywhere maneuver, compete, and even battle for position. They want to become important and enjoy the rewards that come with it.</p> <p class="ng-scope" style="margin:5.55pt 0in 5.55pt 0in;">But on that final evening, in the upper room, Jesus did something that turned all of that upside down. He, the Lord and Teacher, picked up a towel and washbasin, and washed His disciples’ feet. The most important person in the room, the most important person in the world, did the lowliest act of service. He did what a household servant would normally have done in most homes: He washed their dusty feet. His humility was shocking; it felt inappropriate; it made everyone uncomfortable; it was awkward. The man many in Israel believed was the promised Messiah, the man with such power He could still a storm and raise dead people to life, the man so skilled in His knowledge of the Scriptures He could silence the nation’s most senior religious leaders, the man who couldn’t step into a public place without thousands rushing to hear Him and trying to touch His cloak, knelt down and, one by one, with His hands washed the dust and sweat off His disciples’ feet.</p> <p class="ng-scope" style="margin:5.55pt 0in 5.55pt 0in;">There can be little doubt that they watched Him in stunned silence. Each disciple must have glanced at the other with that questioning look which asks, “What’s He doing?” Peter, of course, broke the silence and tried to resist,