1981
He Who Would Be Chief Among You
February 1981


“He Who Would Be Chief Among You,” New Era, Jan.–Feb. 1981, 66

He Who Would Be Chief Among You

And He rose from supper,

Poured water in a basin,

And washed the disciples’ feet.

Those hands, hardened by the heat

Of a desert sun, comfortable with cutting trees

And turning them to tables in Joseph’s shop—

Those hands that with a wave could stop

The troubled sea, could touch a leper clean,

Or triumphantly turn death away

From the loved daughter on Jairus’ couch—

Those hands that could gesture

The heavens open—

Poured water in a basin,

And washed the disciples’ feet.

The lesson lay unlearned,

But to a few—

Who trust the paradox

And hear the call:

He who would be chief among you

Let him be the servant of all.