The Road Worth Taking
John 13:14-15 — Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.
There’s a new song on The Cross that I just can’t get enough of.
It’s called “Road Less Traveled” by Joe L. Barnes and Seph Schleuter.
Have you heard it yet?
It’s one of those songs that makes you want to roll the windows down, turn the volume up, and sing along.
But somewhere between tapping the steering wheel and enjoying the music, there’s a line that might just stop you in your tracks.
“Find me somewhere washing feet.”
Wow.
Now that’s a lyric worth sitting with.
Because when you really think about it, those few words capture something beautiful about what it means to follow Jesus.
In John 13, we find Jesus sharing a meal with His disciples.
And He does something nobody expects.
He gets up from the table.
Takes off His outer garment.
Wraps a towel around His waist.
And begins washing His disciples’ feet.
Now, we have to remember what that meant in those days.
People walked dusty roads in sandals, and washing feet was a lowly task, typically reserved for a servant.
It certainly wasn’t something you’d expect from a respected teacher.
And especially not from the Son of God.
But there He was.
The One who had every right to be served was kneeling down to serve others.
Think about that for a moment.
The One who deserved every crown in heaven willingly took the lowest place in the room.
And then Jesus said something that changed everything.
“Since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow.”
In other words, this is what I want you to do.
Not simply admire My humility.
Not just talk about My love.
Go and show it.
And I think that’s where following Jesus can become a little uncomfortable.
Because it’s easy to love the idea of serving others.
It’s another thing entirely when serving requires something from us.
Our time.
Our comfort.
Our convenience.
Our willingness to put someone else’s needs ahead of our own.
Sometimes, following Jesus means rearranging a schedule we already had planned.
Sometimes, it means showing kindness to someone who hasn’t been particularly kind to us.
Sometimes, it means doing something nobody else will notice or thank us for.
And sometimes, it means loving someone who has absolutely nothing to offer us in return.
But isn’t that exactly what Jesus demonstrated?
He didn’t wash His disciples’ feet because they had earned it.
He did it because He loved them.
And He wanted them to understand that real love doesn’t just talk.
Real love gets up from the table, picks up a towel, and serves.
Now, that doesn’t mean we all have to leave our jobs and become missionaries.
It doesn’t mean we need a microphone, a platform, or some extraordinary opportunity to make a difference.
Sometimes, serving Jesus looks remarkably ordinary.
Inviting someone who’s lonely to dinner.
Sitting across the table from a friend and really listening.
Checking on a neighbor.
Making room on the couch for someone who’s having a difficult day.
Or doing something kind for a person who may never know you were the one who did it.
Those things might not seem like much.
But when they’re done with the love of Jesus, they matter.
Because the Christian life isn’t about building a name for ourselves.
It’s about making His love known.
And sometimes, the most meaningful things we do for God’s Kingdom are the things that never receive any recognition at all.
I wonder how different our communities would look if more of us lived that way.
If we spent a little less time worrying about being noticed and a little more time noticing the people around us.
If we stopped asking, “What’s in it for me?”
And started asking, “How can I show someone the love of Jesus today?”
That’s the kind of faith I want.
Not one that’s simply comfortable.
Not one that’s only visible on Sunday mornings.
But one that follows Jesus wherever He leads, even when the road is inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unnoticed.
So the next time “Road Less Traveled” comes on The Cross, go ahead.
Turn it up.
Sing along.
But when you hear that line about washing feet, let it remind you of something.
Following Jesus isn’t about finding the road that brings us the most recognition. It’s about following the One who showed us how to love.
And if that road leads us to a place where someone needs a little kindness, a helping hand, or a reminder that they matter?
Well, that’s exactly where we ought to be.
Find me somewhere washing feet.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
- Why do you think Jesus chose something as humble as washing feet to demonstrate how His followers should love one another?
- When was the last time someone served you in a way that made you feel genuinely loved?
- Is there an opportunity to serve someone that you’ve been avoiding because it would be inconvenient or uncomfortable?
- How can we guard against seeking recognition for the good things we do?
- Who is one person in your life who could use a simple, practical expression of Jesus’ love this week?
QUESTION TO CARRY WITH YOU TODAY
Am I more interested in being noticed for what I do, or in making sure someone else feels the love of Jesus?
L Y R I C S
Lord, where You lead I’ll follow
Keep me walking down the straight and narrow
Come gladness, tears, or trouble
Give me Jesus and the road less traveled
I was never one for rules, don’t want no cookie cutter faith
I’ve seen Jesus walk with sinners and turn rebels into saints
There’s more outside these walls than the fear inside of me
So you can keep your earthly crowns
Find me somewhere washing feet
I’m singing
Lord, where You lead I’ll follow
Keep me walking down the straight and narrow
Come gladness, tears, or trouble
Give me Jesus and the road less traveled
Oh-na-na
Oh-na-na
Ooh
Now the laborers are few, the harvest’s overflowing
Many are called, but not enough are going
So count me in the number, carrying my cross
To take the love of Jesus and gather up the lost
I’m singing
Lord, where You lead I’ll follow
Keep me walking down the straight and narrow
Come gladness, tears, or trouble
Give me Jesus and the road less traveled
Oh-na-na
Oh-na-na
Give me Jesus and the road less traveled
Oh-na-na-na
Oh-na-na-na
Give me Jesus and the road less traveled
Oh Lord
When the world offers counterfeit
I choose Jesus
When it costs more than I can give
I choose Jesus
When the world can’t make sense of it
I choose Jesus
And when nobody’s coming with
I choose Jesus
When the world offers counterfeit
I choose Jesus
When it costs more than I can give
I choose Jesus
When the world can’t make sense of it
I choose Jesus
And when nobody’s coming with
I choose Jesus
So, tell me who’s coming with?
Oh, I’m singing
Lord, where You lead I’ll follow
Keep me walking down the straight and narrow
Come gladness, tears, or trouble
Give me Jesus and the road less traveled
Lord, where You lead I’ll follow
Keep me walking down the straight and narrow
Come gladness, tears, or trouble
Give me Jesus and the road less traveled
Oh-na-na
Oh-na-na
Give me Jesus and the road less traveled
Oh-na-na-na
Oh-na-na-na
Give me Jesus and the road less traveled
