When our son graduated from Christian college, along with his diploma he was presented with a towel.

It exemplified that no matter what career path he pursued in the days ahead, his greater calling was to serve others like Christ.

In a record commonly known as “The Last Supper,” Jesus used a towel, giving us a moving example of service by washing the feet of His disciples.

In that day, it was the duty of the lowliest servant to wash the feet of guests—a custom used any time travelers or strangers came into the house with dirt of their feet (common because of dusty roads.)

In John 13, Jesus demonstrated an amazing act of humility and compassion. He put a towel around His waist, poured water into a basin, and to the astonishment of His disciples, knelt down to wash their feet, one by one.

When finished, He asked, “Do you know what I have done to you?”  He explained:

“You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:13-17) 

If Jesus can take on the duty of the poorest servant and wash the disciples’ feet, surely we should emulate the same heart toward people.

When we serve others the way Jesus instructs, we are actually serving Him.

Our Lord explains in Matthew 25: 

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry
and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ “ 

Throughout the gospel of Matthew, Jesus referred to those who would be His followers using terms such as “the least of these,” “one of these little ones,” or “the brethren.”

The passage speaks of relationship and service—to all who are in need, including the followers of Jesus who will at times suffer.

Those who are not suffering will be judged on their willingness to lovingly serve those who are. When they do, it is as if they serve Jesus Himself.

Mother Teresa spent her life caring for the poorest and most vulnerable souls in Calcutta. She said, “Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.”

When we see the lost, the poor, the hurting, how will we respond?

Will we see Jesus in disguise?

Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton

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