“He who comes after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” John 13:3-5
John the Baptist, filled with the Spirit and chosen by God to prepare the way for Christ, declared that he wasn’t worthy to unfasten Jesus’ sandals. And yet, right before His horrific death, Jesus got on His knees and washed His disciples’ feet. If we don’t understand the heart of God, these scriptures, when presented side-by-side, seem paradoxical. John says: “I’m too low to touch His sandals.” Jesus demonstrated: “I will kneel lower still, to wash your feet.” But, my friend, it reveals the heart of God. God doesn’t demand to be served as a tyrant king; instead, Jesus, the King of Kings, revealed His nature by serving.
The King, whom no one is worthy to serve, made Himself the Servant of all.
In biblical times, foot washing was considered one of the lowest and most menial tasks in a household, traditionally reserved for the lowest-ranking servant or slave—never the host, and certainly not someone of status. A servant (often Gentile or non-Jewish slave) washed guests’ feet. If a family had no servants, the lowest-ranking member in ancient Jewish culture was often a child or woman, and they might be tasked with it. But it was never the head of the house.
In Jewish culture, even disciples were not expected to wash their rabbi’s feet—it was just that demeaning.
Yet, we see Jesus—the Rabbi, Master, and Son of God—intentionally took the role of the lowest servant and washed His disciples’ feet. This was radically countercultural. Peter’s reaction (“You shall never wash my feet!” John 13:8) reflects how scandalous this act was.
Jesus modeled that true spiritual leadership means selfless service. He even washed the feet of Judas—knowing, just hours later, Judas would betray Him.
What should that do to our hearts?
When we truly grasp the weight of what Jesus did by dying for us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:8-10), this knowledge should shatter every fiber of our pride. It should demolish our attitudes of entitlement and self-centeredness. It should cultivate a deep sense of love and thankfulness.
God’s love is complete selflessness, and, if we love Him, He will be first in our life, and we will be found serving others.
Living selflessly is not about giving God and others our leftovers. It’s a transformational mindset. It frees us to serve others as Jesus did—even fully aware that we may be serving someone who has treachery planned for us. When the Holy Spirit is our guide, He gives us both discretion and guidance about who to serve and when to do it. But it’s only when we live in thankfulness for His selfless service to us that we have the mindset to selflessly serve others.
Jesus humbled Himself to give us all we need in a relationship with Him. His grace should humble us.
Gratefulness for all Jesus does frees us from focusing on what we lack and allows us to serve and glorify Him with what we have been given.
When the Bible says, in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” notice it does NOT say “FOR everything,” but it says “IN everything.” This steady attitude of thankfulness—even in the worst circumstances—can only be maintained if we intentionally cultivate the attitudes of Christ.
My friend, Jesus gave all, so we can be blessed by giving all we have.
When we understand the selfless service of Jesus, which is strongly represented in Him washing the disciples’ feet, we understand more clearly why thankfulness produces an eternal legacy. Living in thankfulness is an opportunity. There is no room for griping, boasting, or comparing. We worship. We obey. We overflow with joy, even in trials, because we remember this unthinkable truth: Jesus, the King of all, not only went to His knees for His enemies—He went to the grave.
When we were His enemies, He loved us.
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8
Final Thought:
To grow our attitude of thankfulness does not make us weak. It places us within the most powerful force on earth—the power of God’s love. Jesus changed the course of the eternal history of individuals—He left us here to do the same mighty work!
Prayer:
Jesus, I am not worthy to even touch Your feet, yet You went to the grave for me. Thank You for Your humility, Your grace, and Your sacrifice. Forgive me for every time I’ve lived with a proud or ungrateful heart. Teach me to walk in daily thankfulness—not just in words, but in a life poured out for others, like You poured Yourself out for me. In Your name, I pray, Amen.
