At the core of Jesus’ mission was a radical dismantling of pride—the very root of human sin. Pride manifests most visibly through our attachment to possessions, creating societies that measure worth by wealth and look down upon those with less. Yet history reveals one figure whose honor was stripped before death, only to be restored and magnified beyond measure after resurrection: Jesus Christ.
His followers walked similar paths, often dying without worldly dignity, sustained only by hope of receiving it after their own resurrection—a truth that remains profoundly meaningful for Christians today. A thought-provoking question is whether the same expression of humility is still evident in modern Christianity.
The Cost of True Discipleship
In Luke 14:26-27, Jesus presents a startling requirement for discipleship: anyone unwilling to “hate” their family and even their own life cannot follow Him. This provocative language clarifies that His teachings must supersede family bonds, personal ambition, and society’s values. The rich young ruler’s story (Matthew 19:16-22) further illustrates this point—his possessions ultimately meant more to him than the invitation to eternal life.
Jesus consistently taught the removal of all pride. Acts like foot-washing, still practiced by some Christian traditions today, were designed to instill this humility. Jesus first demonstrated this the night before His crucifixion, introducing it alongside what we call “The Lord’s Supper”—a tradition rooted in His command to remember Him through shared meal (Luke 22:19).
Beyond Religious Ceremony
Nothing suggests Jesus intended these practices to become mere ceremonies, though it’s understandable how religious thinking could reduce them to such. Even Paul and the early apostles grappled with this tendency, given their Jewish religious background. It reveals how difficult it remains for people to fully embrace God’s perspective.
We must remember: Jesus didn’t come to establish a new religion—He came to establish a Kingdom. A kingdom differs fundamentally from a religion, and the two aren’t interchangeable. In God’s Kingdom, they blend, rendering empty ritual unnecessary.
Living Under God’s Reign
During Roman occupation, Israelites maintained their Levitical priesthood, but authentic Christianity rejected living under any religious authority. For genuine Jesus followers, God’s Kingdom was proclaimed (Luke 16:16). Rather than seizing earthly power, Jesus embraced humiliation, stripped of dignity, and ultimately crucified.
Following Him carries real cost. Persecution accompanies the journey, demanding self-denial that feels like surrendering one’s very life. Just as Jesus was rejected as God’s Son, Christians can expect similar treatment. Their lives are led by Jesus alone, not earthly powers. His Church operates under no human authority (Matthew 23:8-12).
Jesus’ followers weren’t subject to Roman control or the Levitical Priesthood (which never acknowledged Him). Instead, they lived directly under God’s Kingdom. The Ten Commandments originally guided the Israelites under divine rule, but the people rejected this, choosing human kings instead (1 Samuel 8:5-7). This choice led to subjugation by Gentile powers, culminating in Rome—subjugation they would have avoided under God’s direct reign.
God’s intention was always to keep Israel as His children, faithful to His promise. Beyond that brief connection, God’s Kingdom hadn’t yet been established elsewhere.
The Paradox of Kingdom Living
Christianity means living under God’s Kingdom, yet while many believers claim this allegiance, fewer fully embrace its implications. They may not recognize it requires accepting a kind of servitude that sets aside society’s concept of dignity. You cannot genuinely live under God’s Kingdom while pursuing worldly honor.
True Christ followers accept His authority, allowing Him to prepare them for future roles in His Kingdom. Just as Jesus will reign as King, His followers will serve as kings under Him—hence His title: King of Kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). Guided by Him, they share in divine royal power.
Yet humanity’s stubborn resistance to accepting Jesus as the Christ continues, leading to persecution of His disciples, whom He calls His brothers. Though often viewed as part of the Trinity, Jesus stands alongside those He calls brothers, who await their final glory. As He declared: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40, NIV). How Christians are treated reflects how Jesus Himself is treated.
The Foot-Washing Revelation
True Christians serve one another, even through menial acts like washing dirty feet. When Peter initially refused Jesus’ offer, Jesus warned he would have no part with Him if he persisted—so Peter quickly consented (John 13:5-9). Similarly, belonging to God’s Kingdom means both receiving such service and offering it to others.
“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. ‘You call me “Teacher” and “Lord,” and rightly so, for that is what I am. 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 follow as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, 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” (John 13:12-17, NIV).
Jesus hadn’t forewarned His disciples about the foot-washing that evening. It wasn’t another religious ritual but a powerful demonstration of service in God’s Kingdom. These men had left everything to follow Him—except Judas, whose path diverged. Jesus had often taught that the greatest among them must be a servant, and He drove this home by washing their dirty feet.
Curiously, no one washed His, even though He was their Master. This happened the night before His crucifixion. The disciples’ feet were far from clean—they’d been traveling by foot, not modern transport, and hadn’t prepared for this moment. If they’d known, they’d likely have arrived with cleaner feet.
So why did Jesus make such a point of it? In that culture, washing a master’s feet was work for lowly servants, necessary because of dusty conditions. But why not simply instruct them to keep their own feet clean rather than requiring them to perform this humbling task for each other?
Bearing One Another’s Burdens
One of God’s Kingdom’s most profound lessons is that we’re meant to share each other’s burdens rather than focusing solely on our own. Christians are called to care for their brothers and sisters, putting others’ needs before personal comfort. Living by this principle could fundamentally transform how we address poverty.
As fallen humanity, this way of living proves essential for our survival, helping us connect with our existence’s purpose and allowing God’s plan to unfold even now. Created in God’s image, we were never designed for selfishness—it contradicts our divine nature.
Foot-washing powerfully reminds believers to care for one another in God’s Kingdom, where everyone’s needs are met through mutual service. It’s an act rooted in humility—the true qualification for God’s Kingdom, unrelated to education, appearance, or ethnicity. James emphasized this truth:
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:10-12, NIV)
James points out that foot-washing reminds us that Jesus carried humanity’s sins; Christians are called to support and care for fellow imperfect humans. Christianity isn’t about displaying a badge of honor—it’s a lifetime of serving others, and there’s no greater purpose.
Kingdom Values Versus Worldly Systems
While capitalist nations may appear more prosperous, driving innovation and creativity, they often neglect human needs as profit pursuit can lead to exploitation. China, though labeled communist, has been shaped by Western ideas; revolutions fueled by communism and European dictatorships, partly reacted to capitalism’s flaws.
For James, humanity’s struggles find their true solution in God’s Kingdom—beautifully symbolized by foot-washing. Ultimately, it comes down to whether we choose to lift others or use them for personal gain. A self-focused mind seeks superiority, but true service, as Jesus taught, is the only path that genuinely works—everything else is illusion.
God’s Kingdom’s heart shines through Jesus’ teaching. The notion that anyone is greater or lesser than another comes from worldly thinking. Being made in God’s image leaves no room for superiority or inferiority. God’s children aren’t divided by ethnicity, education, wealth, or other differences—they all share and reflect God’s image.
Recognizing humanity’s lost condition makes Christ’s words our ultimate guide. Life represents a shared journey for everyone, regardless of background. Jesus called Himself the way, the truth, and the life, and He never prioritized self-preservation over caring for others.
The Image of God Restored
It all begins with understanding God’s image. A true worshiper follows everything the One worthy of worship says, while a false worshiper selectively embraces what’s convenient. Salvation means accepting the complete message, even the difficult parts.
Foot-washing may seem undignified to those wrapped in self-importance, yet it carries profound symbolic meaning in Christianity—arguably more than many other practices. While the “Lord’s Supper” fosters communal sharing of food, foot-washing powerfully embodies the faith’s core value: serving others.
Many believers overlook this because they overvalue personal dignity. But where did Jesus emphasize self-dignity? Was the cross a symbol of dignity? Were early apostles treated with dignity during their ministries? If not, perhaps Christians should reconsider their perspective and free themselves from such misconceptions.
Many people assume demanding respect demonstrates virtue, but it often produces the opposite effect. Being respected holds little compared to showing respect to others. Focusing on being respected can overshadow genuine worth, which lies more in how we treat others. Jesus reinforced this: “The first will be last, and the last first” (Matthew 20:16).
The Freedom of Truth
This simple truth highlights the importance of genuine value over empty status. Sadly, people often cling to things without real worth while neglecting what truly matters. Jesus received respect from those He healed and from those who witnessed loved ones restored. Yet He never chased respect, though He had every right to, making clear He was the Christ.
His focus was serving, not being served (Matthew 20:28)—demonstrated when He washed His disciples’ dirty feet. Those who cannot grasp the meaning of serving others in such humble ways have little reason to call themselves Christians. That’s why only the truth can set people free.
In God’s Kingdom, greatness is measured not by how many serve you, but by how many you serve. The towel and basin remain more powerful symbols of authority than any scepter or crown. Jesus turned worldly power structures upside down, revealing that the highest expression of humility—washing someone’s feet—is actually the clearest reflection of divine love in action.
Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilisation, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from the current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, relieving those who have witnessed the strings of unworkable solutions, leading to the current economic and social decay. Most Zimbabweans should find the book to be a long-awaited providential oasis of hope, in a simple conversational tone.
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