Rev. Chism's Weekly Message

"When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, 'Lord, are you going to wash my feet?' Jesus replied, 'You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.'"

- John 13:12 (Common English Bible)

We often celebrate the above verse during Holy Week, the last week of the Lenten Season. The verse is a perfect example of Jesus teaching servant leadership. In the context of the culture of that day, most likely and person considered part of a lowly class would do this.

Let’s focus on the topic of leadership. We focus on leadership this time of year because our current term will come to an end in a few months in our church. Some of you will get a call asking if you would like to serve as a leader. There are already nominations submitted for serving on the Board of Ministries already.

Leadership is one of the most important aspects of life. It is required in every facet of how we live. Good leaders help others have a direction and goals to get there. If leadership is not present, it’s like being blown around in the wind going round and round.

Jesus washes Peter’s feet to teach a lesson about leadership. What Jesus told Peter that they would take a while to grasp. Peter was taught all his life that the Messiah would be something than many of the things that Jesus taught. You submitted to leaders regardless of circumstance. Jesus, again, did a 180 and broke a cultural rule. Peter was supposed to wash Jesus’ feet.

I have gained several perceptions of leadership over the years. Leaders need to inspire. They need to be life-long learners. There needs to be humility. True leaders empower others to lead or to live up to the best of their abilities. Patience is a practiced virtue. They may have fear of change but they tackle the tough issues head on.

What’s the biggest trait of a servant leader? Willingness.

Jesus told Peter that he would not understand the spiritual lesson of the foot-washing until later. It is having much to do with the meaning of the Crucifixion and Resurrection. However, it doesn’t stop there. Serving God is something we learn more and more. That means leaders continue to grow.

Sometime later, Peter was still resisting complete relationship building with Gentiles over their diet. It had to do with what we call kosher rules (Acts 10:11.) There is nothing wrong with omitting certain foods from your diet. However, it was preventing him from the hospitality offered by new believers or those seeking. The invitation to eat at a host’s table was a big deal. In a dream, Peter is informed by God that it should not be a barrier. Peter would grow as a leader and a servant.

Some of you may get a call from a few of our church leaders about ways you can be a leader yourself. For anybody reading this, maybe you are being called to be a leader somewhere in some place. You may not feel you have the gift. How do you know if you don’t try?

Almost twenty years ago I was on a spiritual retreat. A speaker I heard began to wash the feet of many of those in attendance. He was a very wealthy man. The stereotype of very wealthy people is they don’t serve others. Yet, there he was, washing the feet of many.

His story was of his old self treating people in a bad way. One day his life changed when Jesus met him in his miserable state. Instead of being a crusty guy thinking everyone should serve him, he became a servant leader. I would say he became a leader like Jesus. And from what I understand, his employees became more than an income unit. He saw them as a person created by God. Like Peter, he came to understand this later in life. He became a lot “wealthier” because of God’s grace.

What do you say leaders out there? Are you ready to give it go and see where the Spirit leads? Go ahead and start praying. You may get the "call."

Stay Safe,

Rev. Baxter