On the Thursday before before Easter, in honor of the example Jesus had set for us on that night some 2000 years ago, I set out to try and find a way to wash my neighbors feet. But seeing at it would be exceedingly strange to walk around the neighborhood with a bucket asking people to wash their feet (and my foreign ways are already strange enough) I sought out a bit more of a creative way to achieve my goal.

I bought several small bottles of nail polish and offered to paint the nails of any who would like it. Those who took me up on the offer got their feet cleaned (via wet washcloth) first. I think my alleyway salon is possibly the first time a pedicure had been interrupted by a crazy chicken (literally…a chicken got loose and came running through…not like the dance).

Many giggles ensued as the foreigner cleaned the feet (several not only dirty but also with sores) of the local women and children. But with time, it became less awkward and by the end, one of my little friends pointed out that I had “missed a spot.” Indeed I had! And so with a bit more scrubbing she was clean. Her mother was embarrassed by her presumption, but I have heard that the way to measure a servant is by how people react when they are treated like one. I found her comment amusing and was happy to oblige.

I find that doing things the way Jesus does then often confuses people, even makes folks uncomfortable. The Kingdom of God is so upside down to everything the world teaches us about how to relate to one another. Declaring that the first will be last and the greatest is the servant of all. Asking that our allegiance be to something bigger than a nationality. Asking for there to be love in response to those who have been unkind to us or taken advantage of us. Asking us to give up our pursuit of the good life in order to find the better life which He has for us. I pray that wherever you are planted, that you are able to be a part of bringing the upside down Kingdom here on earth.

[Written by a member of the Jakarta team.  Names have been changed for security reasons.]

 

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