Friday, January 19, 2007
Improper Leadership
Many people worry about pretenses and social expectations. They are concerned about what is perceived to be proper by society. Jesus never seemed to care about those things much. He frequently went against social custom when He wanted to make a point or challenge His disciples. Jesus was never radical just to be radical. He lived each moment with purpose as the one sent to show the world the Father's love and usher in God's Kingdom on earth.
People's feet tended to get really dirty during first century Palestine. Most people walked everywhere they went. This included Jesus and His disciples. By the end of the day, their feet would be really disgusting. When people entered into a home, it was the custom for the host to provide for a servant to wash the guests. This distasteful task was generally delegated to the lowliest servant in the household, usually a slave.
Washing feet showed respect to the guest and refreshed the traveler. Jesus did this act because it appears that the host had failed to do it. Normally, feet would be washed as people entered a house. It almost certainly would have been done long before they would have eaten.
Jesus washed His disciples feet after dinner. He took the opportunity to demonstrate an object lesson on servant leadership. He set aside his garments and surrounded himself with a towel. Taking the position of a lowly servant, Jesus washed their feet. This would have likely caused the disciples to look around at each other wondering what Jesus was doing. His action was most improper. Simon was the only disciple to call Jesus on this fact.
Simon refused to let Jesus wash his feet. This may have been the most inappropriate act that Simon ever saw Jesus do. He could not let it stand. Jesus explained that Simon may not understand this act now, but he would later.
Simon still refused. He said, "You will never wash my feet."
Jesus responded just as strongly. He said, "If I wash thee not, thou has no part with me."
Hearing this, Simon did the only thing he could do. He asked for Jesus to wash all of him because he wanted to be completely with Christ. Jesus rejected this because it was not necessary. Then the Master asked the disciples to consider why He had done this act of service to them.
Jesus outlined a new leadership style - one that requires leaders to serve and lead by example. He called His disciples to wash each other's feet and to not worry about making power plays. Leaders in God's Kingdom realize that their authority comes from God. They are secure in who they are. They know who sent them. They lead from the front and are the type of person that others want to follow.
Jesus called His disciples to abandon the principles of worldly leadership and to be ambassadors of a better Kingdom. He did this in both word but in deed.
People's feet tended to get really dirty during first century Palestine. Most people walked everywhere they went. This included Jesus and His disciples. By the end of the day, their feet would be really disgusting. When people entered into a home, it was the custom for the host to provide for a servant to wash the guests. This distasteful task was generally delegated to the lowliest servant in the household, usually a slave.
Washing feet showed respect to the guest and refreshed the traveler. Jesus did this act because it appears that the host had failed to do it. Normally, feet would be washed as people entered a house. It almost certainly would have been done long before they would have eaten.
Jesus washed His disciples feet after dinner. He took the opportunity to demonstrate an object lesson on servant leadership. He set aside his garments and surrounded himself with a towel. Taking the position of a lowly servant, Jesus washed their feet. This would have likely caused the disciples to look around at each other wondering what Jesus was doing. His action was most improper. Simon was the only disciple to call Jesus on this fact.
Simon refused to let Jesus wash his feet. This may have been the most inappropriate act that Simon ever saw Jesus do. He could not let it stand. Jesus explained that Simon may not understand this act now, but he would later.
Simon still refused. He said, "You will never wash my feet."
Jesus responded just as strongly. He said, "If I wash thee not, thou has no part with me."
Hearing this, Simon did the only thing he could do. He asked for Jesus to wash all of him because he wanted to be completely with Christ. Jesus rejected this because it was not necessary. Then the Master asked the disciples to consider why He had done this act of service to them.
Jesus outlined a new leadership style - one that requires leaders to serve and lead by example. He called His disciples to wash each other's feet and to not worry about making power plays. Leaders in God's Kingdom realize that their authority comes from God. They are secure in who they are. They know who sent them. They lead from the front and are the type of person that others want to follow.
Jesus called His disciples to abandon the principles of worldly leadership and to be ambassadors of a better Kingdom. He did this in both word but in deed.
