By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

There are three practical ways we can emulate Christ: we can pray, we can teach/preach, and we can wash feet.

Wait a moment. Wash feet? Gross!

In the Church of the Brethren we ritually wash feet twice a year in conjunction with love feast, our recreation of the Last Supper which includes a simple meal, communion, and yes, feet washing.

While not common practice in most mainstream denominations, feet washing should not be unfamiliar to those who attend Maundy Thursday services during Holy Week. Even if you have never participated in the practice itself, you have likely heard the story at some point around Easter.

Will You Let Me be your Servant?

In John 13: 4-7, we hear the story of the Last Supper and a rather bewildering moment for the disciples:

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. (KJV)

It’s easy to understand Simon Peter’s questioning of Jesus’s actions. The practice of washing feet was common in the ancient world. A traveler’s feet became dusty from the dry roads, with only sandals to protect them from the elements. Upon entering a home they would remove their sandals and a servant or slave would wash their feet. This job always fell to the lowest of the lowest bound in service.

So for Christ to sink to his knees and take on the role of someone in servitude, someone the rest of society largely ignored, would have shocked the disciples. But it shouldn’t shock us. This is exactly the kind of action we expect from Jesus, to put Himself in the place of the marginalized and forgotten.

If Jesus was willing to wash feet, shouldn’t we be willing to do the same?

Humble Yourselves before the Lord

Washing feet is one of the most humbling practices I’ve ever experienced. You literally get on your knees before another human being and take their feet into your hands. You are emulating Christ in a tangible, moving way.

It also goes both ways – after you wash that person’s feet they will in turn wash your feet. And sitting with your foot in someone else’s hands, recognizing that they are acting as Jesus to you, is powerful.

It’s a reminder to not only strive for humility myself, but of the humility of Jesus Christ. Our Savior, the Son of God, humbled Himself before the disciples and washed their feet. More importantly, He humbled Himself on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins.

To be Like Jesus

Jesus performs many acts in the Bible that most of us cannot replicate. I know I do not have the gift of miraculous healing or casting out demons. But I can pray as Christ taught me to pray. I can teach Sunday School classes. And I can get on my knees and wash someone’s feet.

Are you willing to do the same?