a servant of christ

This past weekend I went to a Disciple Now weekend at my church. It wasn't the first one I've ever been to; I went to the one at my church in the fall of last year. But for some reason the theme of this year's D-Now resonated with me. The phrase on the t-shirts and the huge banners hanging from the ceiling was "a servant of christ." The overarching theme of all the general sessions and small groups was being a servant. I never realized how many things play into being a servant! We talked about being passionate for Christ - passionate meaning that you are willing to suffer for him, to give up anything that you're holding in between you and God. We talked about the two greatest commandments: loving God with all your heart, soul and mind, and loving your neighbor as yourself. We talked about how faith is treasuring Christ above all else, and the reason for our whole existence is to help others treasure Christ. There were so many things that were covered this weekend - so many that I don't know if I fully grasped many of them. I know that in the days to come I'll probably come across something or live through something that will make me remember something I learned this weekend and think, "Hey, I get it now!"

But the thing that hit me the most happened when our small group leaders washed our feet after the general session on Saturday night. It was a powerful example of service and it affected the whole youth group in a way I can't put into words. During the session right before, Walt Barnes, our speaker, had been talking to us about Jesus washing his disciples' feet. Did you know that the servant who would normally wash guests' feet was the second-lowest servant in the entire household? Usually he would be blind, or deaf, or lame, or a combination. In other words, the only thing he was able to do was to take a bowl of water and wash the dung, dust and filth off his master's guests' feet. For Jesus to kneel and wash his disciples' feet was an act of total humility. Imagine it, the God who made the universe humbling himself to become lower than the second-lowest servant - to become the lowest of them all - and washing the feet of the ones he created. It was a beautiful picture of love and service. I can understand why Peter protested, "No, Lord, you shall never wash my feet." It felt so backward to have even the leader of my small group wash my feet. But for God himself to do it! I am so unworthy.

And, as I sat there on the floor of the sanctuary with my freshly-washed feet, I thought how opposite Christianity is. In the world around us, to be a leader means power, means riches, means influence. But to Christ, leadership is humbling yourself to be the lowest servant and washing the feet of others. In Matthew 20:26-28, he tells his disciples, "...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." We as Christians need to rethink our approach to leadership and see with God's eyes. In order to lead others, we must humble ourselves and become their servants.

"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. 'You call me "Teacher" and "Lord," and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.'" John 13:12-1