By Rachel Symons serving in Mkushi, Zambia
3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 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
As Christmas approaches, Christians around the globe celebrate together the coming of Jesus. The Bible tells us what this magnificent event truly meant for him. He stepped down to us, away from heavenly splendour. And while the Nativity story is an amazing account of Jesus’ birth, it is only the beginning.
As I write this, it is still the dry season in Zambia. And that means dust, and a lot of it! It gets ingrained in crevices in our feet as we wear flip flops and sandals. This may seem like an odd thing to talk about at Christmas, but as we reflect on Christ’s arrival to live a perfect life with humanity on earth, I often reflect on him taking the nature of a servant.
The gospels tell us what that looked like in reality, recounting stories of how Jesus lived among us. One that often springs to mind is when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet.
I have only really appreciated the significance of foot washing since living in a land that often makes one’s feet dirty and dusty! It was a job for a servant, not a free man, and certainly not the majestic Son of God – yet the Saviour of all did that for his followers. And the foot washing was a foreshadow of a much greater service to come.
The one with all power, the Son returning to his Father, the king worthy of highest honour stooped to the lowest position to serve sacrificially, uncomplainingly, perfectly on the cross. The baby was born to serve by dying.
As so often we read, Jesus came to turn convention on its head. The little baby who we celebrate at Christmas grew up to be the perfect servant who dealt with our biggest need of a Saviour, and then gave us the example of servanthood to follow. As you reflect on the birth of Jesus this Christmas, remember that his birth was just the beginning of a wonderful story, yet to unfold!