It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:3–5)
Notice here the lowly posture Jesus takes. He kneels to the ground and serves each of the disciples by washing their feet. Imagine the dirt and grime gathered there from traveling dusty roads by foot through Jerusalem, and the Savior of the world pours a basin of water and gets his hands dirty to make their feet clean. What a beautiful picture of servanthood! Jesus took a lowly posture to elevate his disciples, knowing he wouldn’t gain anything from them in return and foreshadowing his ultimate act of service, dying on the cross for us.
What does it look like for you to live low, not by way of low self-esteem, but by living low in servanthood for others? Is there someone in your life you can serve by elevating them without expectations?
