God of love, hope, grace and peace – Day 13

Jesus and his disciples were at supper when he got up, took off his outer garment, tied a towel around his waist, took a basin, and washed and dried the disciples’ feet. Jesus knew that he had little time left with his disciples. So little time and so many things that he had to tell them. So, Jesus uses the best way possible to get the message across: he adds the action to the word, he sets the example, he takes the role of a servant and washes his friends’ feet. By doing something practical, Christ teaches his church to serve.

What also struck me about this situation with Jesus and his disciples is that there appears to be no real emergency or crisis, but that in the normal course of their being together, Christ found a chance to serve. To be in the service of others is not simply helping out in charity situations, with underprivileged people, for example. Christ’s command applies to all our relationships and all our interactions.

Ferdinand Deist wrote in his collection of essays, Woorde van Hoop (Words of Hope), which in Christian self-image, there is no room for pride, “The glory and greatness of the believer is shown by his willingness to serve, even if he holds a position of power. Surrounding each type of service is the glow given to it by the following of Christ.”

If we, as believers, can remain faithful to this mission, if we daily live by the example of servanthood, then the world will begin to change drastically. Let’s start in our own families and within our own circles of friends and colleagues.