For most, when someone holds a door open or lets you merge into a crowded lane, you promptly accept it with a casual gesture of thanks. It’s different when a person kneels down to pick up or wipe up something for you. You’re more likely to wave the person off with a sheephish, “Oh, you don’t have to do that!” To physically put yourself lower than another is an act of humility—one that’s embedded in social customs. When someone bows or curtsies they are showing deference to another by temporarily lowering their posture.
In Genesis 18:1-2 there were three men that approached Abraham. He immediately recognized that they were sent by God and “when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth.” Likewise in Genesis 19:1, “The two angels came to Sodom in the evening…. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth.”
In the cases of Abraham and Lot, they followed their acts of honor by providing water for the feet of the guests. Abraham told them, “Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.” Similarly, Lot told the angels, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night and wash your feet.” Each of them extended hospitality by giving the guests what they needed to wash their feet. Abraham and Lot each responded without delay to attend to these heavenly guests, but they did not wash the guests’ feet.
In 1 Samuel 25 Abigail approached David to beg for his mercy. Like Abraham and Lot “she rose and bowed with her face to the ground.” However, Abigail went further. She added, “Behold, your handmaid is a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my Lord.” She not only prostrated herself and provided water, but she was also willing to wash their feet. Notice that her self-designation was “handmaid” and “servant.” The act of washing the feet of another was only suitable in that context.
In the New Testament, John the Baptist was preaching about the preeminence of the coming Messiah.
In doing so, he used a similar analogy to communicate the greatness of the coming Savior.
And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie.” (Mk. 1:7)
Lowering oneself is an act of respect and handling another’s feet is the role of a servant or slave. According to John the Baptist, so great is this coming King that John described himself as unworthy to crouch down and participate in even the initial steps of handling the Savior’s feet.
Follow this line of thinking. Jesus says of John the Baptist, “I tell you, among those born of women none is greater than John” (Lk. 7:28). Therefore, the “greatest of men” was unworthy to stoop in submission to carry out the task of a slave in service to Jesus, namely the washing of His feet. Yet, Jesus “began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (Jn. 13:5). His disciples were shocked! Jesus’ actions were culturally scandalous. Why would One so exalted abase Himself with this kind of lowly service? He explained.
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. (Jn. 13:12–15)
Christ demonstrated the posture you must take in relation to other believers. It includes lowering yourself and acting with extreme deference. Any status you have in this world does not attain to Christ, so you have no excuse, only an example to follow. Do not let your pride prevent you from honoring the Lord in service to others, regardless of their station. So, how low can you go?