This week, I've been reflecting on Jesus’ willingness to wash his disciples’ feet in John 13. I think we tend to forget how shocking it is. Even to our ears, it feels deeply unappealing. Consider the prospect of cleaning the feet of twelve men who’ve been walking hot and dusty streets all day. What would it have smelt like?! Even in Jesus’ day, this wasn’t normal. Guests were usually expected to wash their own feet. If a servant were required to wash the guests’ feet, only the lowest-ranking servants would be required to do so. You can understand why Peter initially rejects Jesus' plan out of hand.

If the incident isn’t shocking enough, Christ tells us that we are to emulate his example (John 13.15). We are to take on the posture of a servant like our master.

From March, we’re going to be hosting a monthly community evangelistic meal at Webber Street Day Centre (a ministry of London City Mission) for the homeless and marginalised community in Waterloo. On the first Thursday of each month, a team from Grace London will cook, host and hang out with guests from the rough sleeping community. Each time, we’ll also have someone give a short evangelistic talk. To my mind, this is an ideal way to do mission, combining practical loving service with gospel proclamation. Click here to find out more & sign-up.

Serving others is often humbling, painful and inconvenient. It only works if we’re filled with the love of Christ, which in turn requires us to be walking closely with Christ. But if we take up this call to serve others in love and humility, we start to emulate the greatest servant who has ever lived.