He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

— John 13:6

Have you ever had your feet washed by someone else? Or have you ever washed someone else’s feet? Years ago I was involved in a program where we trained student leaders. At the end of the training the adult leaders would wash the feet of the student leaders. I was always uneasy doing it, but it was always meaningful for me and the students.

When Jesus knelt down to wash his disciples’ feet, I’m sure the room fell silent. This wasn’t something that a teacher and master would do. But as he moved from person to person, I’m sure the disciples knew something meaningful was happening. And Peter’s response is what all of us would say: “Not my feet, Jesus!” But then after Jesus explained that he had to do this, Peter went all in: “Then wash my hands and my head too!”

Jesus needed Peter and the rest of the disciples to know what it meant to be a servant to others. He needed them to know that no matter what position they held, no matter how important they were, they were still called to be servants to others.

The same is true for us. It doesn’t matter what position you hold in life or how important you are. What matters is whether or not you will be a servant to others.

Are you willing to humble yourself for someone else in the name of Jesus?

Humble Lord, humble me in the presence of the people I meet today. Show me whom I need to serve in your name. Amen.