Deeper Reflection
Christian leaders – in whatever settings – are to lead as followers of Jesus. That means, follow the way Jesus leads. Jesus leads at three levels simultaneously and holistically.Leading as the Highest: In John 13, when did Jesus wash His disciples’ feet? It was when Jesus “knowing that the Father has given all things into His hands” (v.3). It was when He was “conscious of the universal sovereignty conferred on Him by His Father, fully aware of His heavenly origin and destiny” ¹⁹ . Jesus washed His disciples’ feet as “the Lord and the Teacher” (Jn 13:13-14). God endows authority on Christian leaders to lead, such that their followers must submit to them (Heb 13:17). That’s top-down leadership.Leading as the Lowest: Jesus, knowing that He is the highest (v.3), He does the lowest: He washed His disciples’ feet (v.4). “Foot washing was normally carried out by a servant, not by those participating in the meal, and certainly not by the one presiding at the meal.”²⁰ Jesus washed His disciples’ feet in six condescending steps (vv.4-5). That’s bottom-up leadership. But Jesus’ disciples “saw a rare unfolding of the authority and glory of the incarnate Word, and a rare declaration of the character of the Father Himself”²¹ . Jesus can be at the highest and at the lowest at the same time.Leading as an Equal: Jesus, who is “the Lord and the Teacher” of His disciples (vv.13-14), is also their Brother. After His resurrection, He called them “My brethren”, for His Father and God is their Father and God (Jn 20:17; cf. Heb 2:10-17).

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¹⁹ F. F. Bruce, The Gospel of John (Eerdmans, 1983), 280 ²⁰ Colin G. Kruse, John, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (IVP, 2003), 280 ²¹ F. F. Bruce, 280