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Written by Chuck Durham
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 There is an obscure passage in 2 Kings that bears on all who would follow the LORD. The kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom were going to battle against Moab. In seeking for a prophet of the LORD to guide them, a servant remembered “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah” (2Kings 3:11). Not a very glamorous thing to put on one’s résumé: “I washed the CEO’s hands before lunch.”
None of us are any good at playing “second fiddle” to anyone else. It doesn’t come naturally, as we say. The desire to be the Big Gun, the Head Cheese, and the Top Dog is seemly ingrained into our DNA. But to be called into action because you are remembered as serving the really famous guy, well, that stings, doesn’t it? If we will look closely at our twisted hearts we will hear James and John requesting the chief seats next to the King in His Glory (Mark 10:35-37). We’re looking for top-of-the-line recognition. We want everyone else to know how really important we are.
But the God of the Towel* comes rebuking all such swaggering nonsense. He stoops down on bended knee and carefully washes dirt and grime from sweaty feet. He moves deliberately around the room washing twelve “we-are-too-important-to-do-such-a-lowly-and-demeaning-task” people. He then urgently demands: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). What truly frightens me about “me,” is that I would not be content to merely ask for the chief seat next to the King. I would want more. Give me power and authority over the rest. Parade me in a chariot with fifty runners crying, “Bow the knee.” In the darkest and most unwashed part of my heart it lurks—waiting to rear its ugly head, which must at all cost, be crushed. I am not naturally a servant.
Looming daily before me is the Cross. Shaming me. Crushing me. Washing me. Calling me to be unnaturally a servant (Mark 10:43-45). |
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