Servant Leadership in Action
/It was the night before the execution, Roman style; not a private, lethal injection, but a public hanging on a cross, for the world to see and remember. But first, the Passover Meal.
Jesus and His disciples make their way to an upper-story room along a dust-covered street. At the house, a servant usually stood at the front door to wash and dry the feet of guests as they arrived. This night, the foot washer didn't show, and no disciple volunteered to replace him. Ever wonder why? Maybe they thought. . .
“I’m not a foot washer; not me; not my job.”
“I'll do hands---maybe; not feet.”
“I'm not a slave.”
“Have a slipped disc; Doctor recommends no bending or stooping.”
“I'm hungry. Need to eat.”
But Luke notes that during the supper, “a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be the greatest.” (22:24). Maybe that’s it. As they sauntered through the door, each disciple thought they were” the greatest,” top of the list, second to none, the best. There’s no way “the greatest” would stoop to wash dirt from another’s feet. Never.
So, each one walks in, looks around the room, and reclines on a cushion at the table.
Then Jesus enters. He walks to the table and lays on His side between John (the one whom He loved) and Judas (the one who would sell him). Interesting choice.
As He walks, He notices the dirty feet of his men reclining at the table. He doesn't say anything. Maybe He remembers His sermons, His challenges, His teachings about serving one another, about greatness. Maybe he thought. . .
“Did it do any good?”
“Will no one have the humility to wash even my feet?”
“My death is imminent.”
“Will no one serve me?”
During dinner, Jesus makes His move. Quietly, as the others ate, He slips away from the table, removes His outer robe, wraps a towel around His waist, and takes in hand a pitcher of water, a basin, and towel. Without saying a word (until He gets to Peter) He carefully washes and dries the feet of each disciple.
NO FANFARE, NO HYPE
NO BELLS AND WHISTLES OR HORNS BLARING
NO MEDIA PHOTO OP
NO ATTENTION DRAWN TO HIMSELF
NOTHING IS BENEATH THE DIGNITY OF A SERVANT LEADER. THEY SIMPLY WANT TO SERVE.
Jesus even washed the feet of Judas. JUDAS! Backstabber. Betrayer. Backslider. Conspirator. Double-crosser. His picture hangs in the same Hall of Shame as Benedict Arnold. Didn’t matter. Knowing what Judas was up to, Jesus bent over, removed Judas’ sandals, washed and dried his feet without saying a word. Maybe His look into Judas’ eyes said it all, “Judas---I love you.”
You see, servant leaders stoop to meet needs. They're foot washers. They involve themselves in people's lives. Servant leadership is DOING---not talking about it in board meetings or preaching it in sermons or reading about it in leadership articles. Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. . . Now that you know these things, you will be blessed IF YOU DO THEM.”
That night, THE GREATEST, washed feet
SERVANT LEADERS ACCEPT THE CALL TO SERVE WHETHER OTHERS DESERVE TO BE SERVED OR NOT—EVEN A JUDAS!
WILL YOU?