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Mar 30, 2023 18:30pm

Are You Ready to Wash Feet?

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Christopher was just a baby, at the stage where he was grabbing everything he could get his hands on. When he wanted something, he wanted it. He would grab it and had the tightest grip and wouldn’t let it go.

We were out at a restaurant and there was a lemon on the side of my cup. He tried to grab for it and I said, “Oh no, you don’t want that.”

Oh, but he did.

He reached again, this time with more force and I said, “You don’t know what you’re asking for. You don’t want that.”

Of course, he pushed harder. So, as any good aunt would do, I said with a sigh, “Alrighty, you want it, here it is.”

The look on his face when he bit into that thing told me everything I already knew.

He did not really want that.

Kids. They’re learning. They’re growing. They ask for things without knowing the ramifications. And sometimes, they don’t understand whatever they’re asking for isn’t yours to give.

“And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.” (Mark 10:35-40)

Boy, weren’t James and John bold? How could they ask Jesus for something so important? I guess this is one reason they were known as the Sons of Thunder. Remember, this isn’t the first time this issue has come up among the disciples. But they were daring enough to actually ask.

But they didn’t know what they were asking for. To sit at each side of Him would be the highest honor and to receive that honor meant they had to suffer the same things Jesus did to get there. Could they know the cup that Jesus drank from was filled with death? Could they understand the persecution that would come to them to be called even just a follower of Christ? Jesus knew what was ahead. He knew the bitter taste of death and anguish awaited Him and He explained to these two men that they didn’t know what they were asking for.

In fact, it wasn’t even Jesus’ to give. God had already appointed who would be in those positions. So, who will they be?

Jesus explains further to the disciples that the path to great honor is paved with deep humility.

“But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)

Are we willing for the same? Can we serve the least of these with love and humility? Can we humble ourselves in the way Jesus did?

This is the only way to follow Christ.

Father, break down our foolish, prideful hearts that are filled with hunger for prestige, honor and recognition. Our vain attempts gain us nothing. Help us to fall to our knees in submission to your authority and greatness and remember our mission here on earth is to glorify you! It’s not about what’s easy, pleasing or fulfilling to us, but what is most glorifying to you. Let us see with your eyes the needs that are among us. Let our hearts be broken for the lost and the afflicted. Let our ears be ready to listen, our hands be ready to wash the feet, and our minds be unified in you Lord. We are called to serve. Let us be ready and willing. Amen.