“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.” John 13:14

In this night of His betrayal, Jesus taught His disciples a powerful lesson. The typical Jewish mind was looking for a Messiah that would throw off the yoke of Roman oppression and lead them to national independence. The true Messiah is indeed powerful and wins true and ultimate victories for His people…but, He also came as a servant!

Jesus taught His disciples, “To be great in my kingdom, you have to serve.” To their shock and bewilderment, their Master and Lord started washing their feet. Jesus told us to do the same. The church of Jesus Christ continues this practice of washing each other’s feet in a special service. But, Jesus wasn’t just teaching us to only practice this symbol. He was teaching us to live at each other’s feet.

Later in this chapter Jesus emphasized the importance of brotherly love to the disciples, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (Jn. 13:35). To live at each other’s feet, to practice true Christian love requires an abundance of humility, longsuffering, forgiveness, kindness and more. Living at each other’s feet may not be the most glamorous Christianity, but it is essential Christianity. Live at your brother and sister’s feet in Jesus’ name!