Recently, I visited the campus of North Greenville University to present the 13th annual Horace B. Sims Jr. Award for excellence in Christian studies. The Courier gave two awards this year. The academic achievements of South Carolina Baptists Nikki Stillwell and Adam Cooper were so close, we couldn’t choose between the two of them. Both graduating seniors bring honor to the award, to the university from which they are graduating, and to their Lord.
KirklandI never go to North Greenville University that I don’t notice the Divine Servant statue. I always pray that it will have the hoped-for influence on the lives of the students who pass by it day after day.
Through the years, I have spoken on and written about service in obedience to our Lord’s example as he washed the feet of the apostle Peter. I once took a towel with me to illustrate the message at one of our Baptist churches in South Carolina. A member told me later that he was distracted a little by it. “I kept waiting for you to wash somebody’s feet,” he said.
The towel of service plays a prominent role in deacon ordination events at my own church. Each newly ordained deacon is given a Bible as the inspired rule of faith and practice for all Christians and a towel representing the humble service the deacon is to perform in obedience to our Lord who came to serve, not to be served.
Our deacon ordination services offer each believer attending to think anew about his or her relationship to God through Christ, and to each other.
Washing the feet of the disciples was a simple act by Jesus. It was born of his love for his disciples and given as an example. This poignant exercise in humility has no less meaning for you and me today as modern followers of Jesus. Our Lord loved us, too, and prayed for us as the time of his death neared. He gave to you and me the same example he gave to the apostles in that upper room.
When I speak or write about foot washing as a symbol of service to others to please and honor Jesus, I always suggest three functions of the towel of service. It can wipe the dust off someone’s feet. It can be a source of refreshment which encourages weary travelers. It can wipe the egg off someone’s face. We all mess up. We all have egg on our faces at times. To wipe the egg from someone’s face is to offer restoration to one who has failed. The towel also can be used to wipe the tear from someone’s eyes. Christian comfort is necessary until that day when Jesus himself will wipe the tears from our eyes.
I also encourage those who will hear me to never throw in the towel. Never stop doing what Jesus expects of us. Nothing we do for our Lord is ever in vain. Even the cup of cold water is important to the thirsty. “Do not become weary in well doing” is what the apostle Paul tells us.
I have never spoken to high school or college graduates. Probably I never will. They can do better for their graduation speakers. But if I ever did, I just might begin by saying, “On the campus of one of our South Carolina Baptist universities is a statue, larger than life, of Jesus washing the feet of the apostle Peter.”
And then I would say … well, never mind. Since you’ve read this Commentary, you know what else I would say.
The task before me, though, is to live what I’ve just written. It’s your task as well. Washing feet is a small thing. Most service is. But it always can be done with great love.
