He's been in my SEEP class on Saturday's for a few months now. He's very short, works hard, and has a huge grin that shows several missing teeth, something most people try hard to hide with small, closed smiles. He's always a few minutes early, and so when I picked my way up the mud-slick hill to the church yesterday morning at 7:55, he and several other students were waiting for me.
After six days of rain, the dirt road is a muddy mess, and walking to class had my feet covered in thick black mud, and several passing trucks splashed muck up my legs. I had barely noticed and didn't mind one bit, but the students were all very concerned when I walked up about their teacher being 'degraded' by mud.
As I was sitting there talking to her, this same young man came around the bench and knelt down in the dirt in front of me with a clean rag he must of had in his pocket. Before I even knew what was happening, he had removed my mud-caked flip flop and had started rubbing the mud off my feet.
Almost appalled at the humility and the disgusting nature of what was happening, I stopped my conversation and tried to take the rag from him, assuring him that I could do it.
"No, no Teacher," he said grinning, "I've got this. Don't get your hands dirty. We'll all be much happier when you are clean."
For several more minutes he worked hard on my feet while Penina and I talked and I fought back all the emotions and instincts that begged him to stop.
Frankly, I'd never thought much about all the time that Jesus insisted on washing His disciples feet not long before His death. I'm sure their toes were as filthy as mine, with roads just as unpaved as ours. Never really thought about WHY Simon Peter so insistent that the Lord not lower himself to such a task. Never thought about how hard this must have been for the disciples. Never thought about how humbling and even awkward to have someone serve you in this way. Never thought about why it was SO important to Jesus that it be done.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13
What my student did for me yesterday was painfully beautiful. Why? Because he was showing everyone and telling me that he regarded me as higher than himself, while I don't even KNOW his NAME. He set an uncomfortable example for me as to what I should be doing to others.
I have brought this group of men and women the Gospel for over a year now. But have I "washed their feet"? I have been a part of the EBS family for almost 4 years now, but have I "washed the feet" of the staff? Of the students? We've been in full-time ministry for almost 5 years now...I've been a Christian most of my life...how many times have I loved someone SO sacrificially as "short happy guy" did yesterday?
With total humility, complete and joyful abasement, truly showing them that I consider them better than myself? Uncomfortable love? DIRTY love? Embarrassing love? Un-socially-acceptable love? HIS kind?
"Do you understand what I have done for you?" asked Jesus, not wanting anyone to miss out on the weight of His lesson, His example, His life and His death.
Do we UNDERSTAND what He has done for us?
Do we understand it if we are not washing the feet of, suffering persecution and humiliation for, DYING FOR, others? "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. You should do as I have done for you" Jesus says.
Ah, I have so far to come. But Jesus, who is JUST beginning to make a mark in "short happy man's" life, shone through him brilliantly yesterday to bring me yet closer to Himself.
Praise the Lord.
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