Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

—John 13:3-5

This has been, without a doubt, the strangest Easter I’ve ever celebrated. My church is large enough that they expanded the services to three on Sunday and one on Saturday evening. The church was having difficulty getting all the service spots filled on the Saturday evening service in particular, so we volunteered. It was a wonderful service, but the result was that we spent Easter Sunday…at home. 

We streamed another service and enjoyed it, but without the need to spend time getting gussied up and traveling back and forth, we had a lot more free time than we are used to on a Sunday. So I decided to take a walk. I hadn’t been doing a good job of getting outside and getting exercise, so today seemed like the day.

For the first two laps around my neighborhood, I listened to the book I’m reading about God’s beauty. It was a lovely distraction as I sweated through those first laps. But on my last lap, I did something different. I slowed down and turned off the book. I just walked in silence with the unspoken invitation open for my God to join me.

For this lap, the clouds that had been shielding me from the sun gave way to brilliant rays that brought a little more warmth than I really wanted. It was beautiful, but it was hot. As I came in sight of the final turn that led to the street that deadends into my house, I suddenly found myself in the midst of the perfect, swirling breeze. 

It was a blessing. A gift. The one thing that could have made the last portion of my walk better. And one thought kept dancing in my mind: It’s the little things.

We hear that so much when we talk about our relationships. It’s the little things he does for me or It’s the little ways she shows her respect for me. But I wonder how often we think about all the little things God does for us.

We get a unique opportunity to look at these little things today because we just celebrated Easter—a reminder of the biggest thing anyone has ever done for us. We get to see both sides of the spectrum at once and all the glory that comes from the vast range of God’s care for us.

Jesus Cares about the Little Things Too

So when can we see the God of the universe care for His people in the little things? The story that comes to my mind is when Jesus chose to wash the disciples’ feet.

I was surprised to find that this happened right before the Last Supper. It was the last time Jesus would share a meal with his twelve closest friends. The torture of His death that would bring about the cleansing of the world would begin in mere hours. And even so, He made time to clean the dirt from between their toes.

Heartmelting Goodness

This strikes me for two reasons. First is the selflessness and tenderness of the act. Washing someone’s feet was a way to show hospitality, but it was work done by the lowest of slaves. It was a sign of deep respect and friendship, but even when it was meant to show this affection, it was generally done by a female slave.

But for Jesus, it didn’t matter. His own pride didn’t factor into the situation at all. What He cared about was caring for His friends and giving them an example to follow when He was gone. Even as He prepared to suffer the most agonizing death devised by man, He decided to serve those around him, including His betrayer. My human mind can’t make sense of that level of goodness, but my human heart loves Him so much more for it!

An Example to Follow

I also find this passage a bit convicting. There was such humility in His choice to serve His disciples this way. And just to make sure we get a clear picture of the extent of Jesus’ voluntary humility, we get the reminder at the beginning of verse three that the Father had given all things into His hands. 

What a juxtaposition! The fullness of Almighty God chooses to…perform the lowest form of service. And like I pointed out, He doesn’t just do this for the disciples who will be loyal to Him after His resurrection. He washes Judas’ feet along with the others. He does not distinguish or discriminate between them.

This is the example we’re to follow. To selflessly serve everyone God puts in our path. It doesn’t matter if our pride will be hurt. It doesn’t matter if that person will turn around and stab us in the back or spit in our faces. It only matters that we are humble and we serve.

This week, let’s keep this thought at the forefront of our minds—that we are looking for people to serve as Christ has served us. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the sacrifice on the cross.