Jesus Christ Our Low Man
By Sharon Musgrove
“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 do 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)
In the United States, there is a popular saying, which reflects
our cultural viewpoint on societal hierarchies.
The phrase low man on the totem pole refers to the person lowest
in rank or the one least important, least powerful. This American idiom was derived from an
assumption of meaning in the Indigenous American artwork of layered carvings
called “totem poles.” But the one who
tooled this famous expression had the ranking flipped. The images sculpted on the bottom of the
pillar were those considered of greatest importance because they carried the
weight of those stacked above them.
Humanity
has always misjudged the requirements of greatness. We associate popularity and power with value,
even within our spiritual or religious circles.
From Genesis, we see all of mankind played out in the story of Adam and
Eve, deceived into believing they were not really God’s chosen because of a
perceived lack of power. Envious, we’ve
been climbing over each other ever since.
Christ
told a different story.
Jesus, Son
of God, raised a carpenter, carved a way out of our miserable, cut-throat
culture, by way of sacrifice. He did
everything possible, everything necessary, to reveal to mankind that the
blessed way of life is servitude. He
exhibited for us bottom-of-the-pillar behaviors, including the task of washing
His disciples’ feet (as recorded in John 13, quoted above).
There was
great significance in Jewish culture for washing feet. Because of the nature of sandals, and the
conditions of life with animals and without today’s sewer systems, frequency of
foot washing was a necessity. It was
customary to wash one’s feet before entering a residence, prior to eating
(reclining with others at a low-to-the-ground table) and going to bed. Priests were required to perform ritual
cleansings prior to approaching God’s Temple, just as no one was allowed to
approach a king without due preparation.
In washing
His disciples’ feet, Christ was doing the task of a servant, but also preparing
His people for the privilege of approaching the King directly.
That was
counter cultural.
Backwards
and upside down.
A King
doesn’t wash feet. And only the elite
get access.
So, to put
stop to this madness, a tree was felled and carved. Upon that tree a King was nailed and raised
up. This pole shaped for ridicule and shame.
Yet Christ
arose.
According
to Totem Poles: Heraldic Columns of the Northwest Coast, the word totem
comes from the indigenous Algonquian language word odoodem meaning
“[his] kinship group.” The intent behind
carving the elaborate images into tree trunks was to commemorate an ancestor or
recount a specific historical event.
These chiseled trees were meant for honor, not shame.
To this
day, mainstream culture continues to get the positioning wrong. We still seek popularity and power, believing
our value is on more, while continuing to raise up those who have the most fame
and influence.
Yet Christ
gives us an open invitation into His way of life. It is foot washing life that doesn’t promise
a monument will be erected in our honor.
But it does promise that we have the highest value to Him and direct
access to the King of Kings.
Which
kinship group will you choose? Who do
you want as low man on your totem?
Author
Bio:
Sharon has
been writing and teaching biblically based curriculum, Bible studies, and
devotionals since 2007.
She has
had the unique position of writing curriculum and teaching for two private,
Christ-based, residential recovery programs. Both programs primarily served
women in the homeless community.
Sharon has
traveled multiple times to Kenya, serving on medical teams and teaching in the
rural Maasai communities. She’s been privileged to speak in Leadership camps intended
on encouraging and empowering the impoverished, underprivileged, and often
abused young women.
Within
these ministries, Sharon has witnessed the transformative power of loving words
spoken to the broken-hearted. Sharing God’s love and witnessing its
transformative power has become her passion.
Sharon and
her husband, divide their time between Oregon and Hawaii. They have two grown
children.
Currently,
Sharon is encouraging others via her inspirational blog, but prefers sharing
face to face. Additionally, she is working towards a degree in Ministry.
~*~
Connect
with Sharon:
Website: Sharonmusgrove.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sharon-Musgrove-Untethered-102208978041060
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonmusgrove_untethered/
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