Man Your Feet Stink!!!

Lately two things have been ruminating in my head. One is a scripture and the other a phrase. Romans 10:15 “And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Also see Isaiah 52:7) The phrase I keep hearing is “Wash each other’s feet.” In both cases I feel they are tied together under the umbrella of serving or service.

When I think of Romans 10:15 I immediately think of missionaries, missions, evangelists and evangelism. They are bringing the gospel of peace as they walk into dark places that need the light of God’s word. These people must carry a servants heart to be successful. Missions and evangelism isn’t for glory but, for souls. It is a burning need or burden to fulfill the mandate Jesus gave before He ascended to heaven. (Mark 16) However don’t think that because you may not be a missionary or evangelist in title, you are never called to walk in that anointing. We function in the season we are in and in the place we are placed. Your mission field may not be a third world country but, the break room of your office. We all have our own Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. (Acts 1:8). Yet again at the crux, is a willingness to serve. To serve says it’s not about me. It’s about Someone and someone(s) else. Now, let me move over to foot washing.

In ancient times it was customary to wash your feet upon entering someone’s home or even your own home. Many cultures wore sandals which allowed good air movement in humid or dry climates nonetheless, also allowed their feet to get very dirty. The foot washer tended to be a slave or servant and it was not a very desirable or glamorous job. In getting the dirt off of others, you got dirty too. In washing off their stench, you yourself could smell. So imagine the shock of everyone in the room when, Jesus voluntarily washes the disciples feet.

“After washing their feet, He put on His robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”

‭‭John 13:12-17

Jesus makes sure to point out that masters are no better than slaves or servants and the messenger is not more important than the one who sends the message. Jesus is making a lot of good distinctions here but I want to focus on some specifics of service. Don’t be too good to serve and don’t be too good to serve the servants.

We live in a culture where everyone wants to be seen but, no one wants to serve. Though if they do serve, they need to place it on social media with a blinking arrow. This type of thing is not serving but, self serving. As the church, we aren’t called to this wishy washy, mood based, look at me, type of serving. Jesus demonstrated in washing His disciples feet that there is no job we should be too good for.

Now let me try to tie my original two thoughts together. In many churches we have, support, or know missionaries and evangelists. However, I think we have pushed them into a box where we expect them to keep serving and we don’t take the time to serve them. They are continually pouring out and need seasons of being poured back in to. Am I saying to follow them around on our hands and feet? No. Nevertheless, we could treat them with more respect and gratitude than we sometimes do. We smile from a distance and keep our distance because we’re scared they’ll corner us for support money! And so what if they ask you for support money! Allow their burden for the gospel to make you uncomfortable and expose why you’re uncomfortable. They for all intents and purposes are the foot washers of the kingdom. They took the job no one wants. Everyone expects the great commission to be carried out, though no one wants to get in there and get dirty. Many don’t want to deal with the toe jam of sin, the athletes foot of cultural demonic strongholds, or the blisters of rejection.

Then there is another group of servants. These are the people who we expect to be serving. These are the people serving at every church function. They serve so often we are taken back when they aren’t helping. These are also foot washers in the kingdom. Without these servants, things wouldn’t get done. Without their constant commitment there’d be no Sunday school, children’s church, VBS, cleared walkways and church parking lots, or church bulletins getting passed out. Nevertheless, is this right? Sometimes people may be serving when it’s no longer their season to serve in that capacity simply because others keep failing to step up. What if you took their place so they could be home for their family dinner? What if you took their place so their kids didn’t cry that mommy or daddy wasn’t there again to tuck them in? What if you took their place so overworked burned out servants could get some rest and relief? I’m speaking to myself as well. It is always easy to come up with a two page list of why we can’t. What if we came up with a four page list of why we should?

This isn’t just limited to serving the church. I believe there are overworked PTA members, Boy Scout and Girl Scout leaders, nursing home volunteers, food shelter volunteers, and countless other community positions. At some point we should feel pressed to ask God what our part is rather than highlighting why that part isn’t filled. Find your Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Where has God commissioned you to be? How can you serve? How can I serve? If Jesus wasn’t too good to get His hands dirty, neither am I!