grab a towel

What’s the etiquette when you visit someone’s home? Shoes off or on?

It was clearer in the hot, dusty world that Jesus lived in. A low-paid servant would stand with a jar of water and wash the grime and the sweat from the guests’ feet as they arrived.

That is not a nice job is it? Kneeling in front of people who are tired and hungry, scrubbing the dirt and the grit from their smelly, sweaty feet.

“So he [Jesus] got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist.After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round him.” - John 13:4-5

Whatever the etiquette was, this was not it! The most important person in the room, the most powerful, the guest in the place of honour, was definitely not supposed to grab a towel and get down on the floor!

Jesus shows us that true leadership takes the humility of being a servant. It was never more about the place of honour than it was about recognising the value of those you’re serving.

Today, ask God for an opportunity to serve someone. What could you do that blesses them, that shows you value and honour them? Someone wise once said that if you’re the most powerful person in the room, you should grab a towel. How could you wash someone’s feet today?