Leadership Starts at Ground Level
You just started a new job. It’s your first day and on the way in you learn that there’s a new CEO – it’s his first day too. What’s it going to be like? Will this new CEO call a meeting? Maybe he’ll send a memo explaining the new mission statement or vision for the company? Instead, you’re shocked to find out that the Son of God is your new CEO, and his first order of business is to grab a towel and wash everyone’s feet.
In John 13 we see the most powerful man in the room lower himself and wash the feet of his followers. He didn’t have to; he could have told a parable and illustrated the intent just as well. Instead, he humbled himself and showed us what real leadership looks like. And if we’re bold enough to follow his example, we can build something that truly matters.
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:14-15 (NIV)
Lead by Serving
Jesus led the disciples. He was their teacher and their Lord. It was shortly before he was going to die, and he carefully took to his knees and washing feet; including Judas’ feet. His demonstration of servant leadership showed that there’s no task that’s beneath the leader. Actually, if you want to really lead people you have to take on the difficult, humbling, and often dirty tasks yourself.
Show the Culture You Want
When you were little, did you sometimes brag about being able to do something and you’re called out on it? “Put up, or shut up!” your peers may have told you. Or, “Put your money where your mouth is.” Or perhaps, “Walk the walk, don’t just talk the talk.” Jesus had a ton of great teachings, but then he would always model them as well. He told us in Mark 9:35 that to be first we must be last. In John 13 he demonstrated what it meant to be last.
Level the Playing Field
How many jobs have you had where you were scared of your boss? I know every job I ever had I never thought of my boss as my equal. It was always a constant, “do what they say or you’re fired” type relationship. But in verse 16 Jesus says, “No servant is greater than his master.” But we also see, in this and other teachings, that the leader is the servant. In other words, the employee is the master. The leader isn’t above the team, in fact, the leader answers to the team. Remove the ego, foster collaboration over control.
Be Blessed
Verse 17 gives us a pretty astounding promise, “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” Raise your hand if you want to be blessed… okay put it down because people are looking at you wondering why you’re raising your hand. If you truly run your business with servant leadership, your teams will be stronger, morale will be better, and the reputation you spread throughout the community will attract clients and get noticed by kings.
People Over Profits
There’s one last bit of takeaway we can get here (actually, there’s probably a lot more, but I’ll wrap this up here. Washing feet, especially back in Biblical times, was dirty and humbling work. It was work usually reserved for slaves or non-Jewish servants because it was considered a demeaning task. For Jesus, the ruler of Heaven and earth to do it was nothing more than an act of love. Your employees are humans. Your customers are more than transactions. People deserve dignity and respect – when you offer that to them, you take care of people instead of chasing profits.
Are You a Servant Leader Washing Feet?
It’s time for a careful look at yourself. Are you acting as a servant leader? Are you willing to lower yourself to do the most humbling, disgusting, and demeaning tasks in your organization? You could get on your pedestal and command someone else to do it. Or, you can get on your knees and take care of the problem.