Cleaning toilets is not on the top of my “fun” job list. It is not one of my favorite task. I don’t get excited about cleaning. Cleaning is necessary and important.
At the last supper Jesus washed His disciples feet. John 13:3-5 says, “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded”. (KJV)
Jesus is a king who became a lowly servant. He showed His love by serving. We all have opportunities to serve in our mundane, dull, everyday chores. John 13:14-17 is an example for us “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. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”. (NIV)
Each day we have things to do. It could be running errands, doing chores, changing diapers, washing dishes, folding laundry or a million other things. These are opportunities to show our love for God and others. When we do our chores, jobs, and tasks with love for God and our families, we can grow sweeter not bitter with complaints.
The Lord didn’t choose to wash specific disciples feet. He washed all of their feet. Jesus knew Judas would betray Him. Instead of washing Judas’s feet with a hard heart, He showed love to him. How would you or I respond? It is in our nature to get upset. We could easily choose to do something unkind. Scrubbing Judas’s feet with sandpaper would please our sin nature, but that would not show God’s love.
What are the Judases are in your life? It could be a person who hurts or offends you, plans that do not go your way, sickness, children who have not acted or lived wisely, or a disagreement. The list goes on and on. These can all be a Judas, but if we follow Jesus example and in prayer ask God for strength, we can face each situation with a right attitude. In Luke 6:27-28 we are told to love and do good. “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you”. (NIV)
Instead of complaining about the problems in our lives, we should ask the Lord to change our hearts and help us to love the people or situations that are our Judases. God may not change the situation. We may have to continue washing feet. As we do, it should be our priority to have a right heart that God can use.
Think about this the next time someone or something is irritating you and you would like to scrub the toilet with them. Stop what you are doing, take your toilet brush, go scrub the toilet, and pray for a changed heart filled with love and joy instead of bitterness.
