「食事の席から立ち上がって上着を脱ぎ、手ぬぐいを取って腰にまとわれた。それから、たらいに水をくんで弟子たちの足を洗い、腰にまとった手ぬぐいでふき始められた。」（ヨハネによる福音書13章4-5節）
　イエス様の生き様を思うとき、謙虚さと愛を感じる。私もそのように生きたいと思う。イエス様が十字架に磔にされ殺された頃には、多くの人がイエスを信じ、慕うようになっていたことだろう。イエスに富はなかったが、人々からの尊敬を大いに集めたことと思う。実際に殺されたわけであるから、イエスを殺したいと企んでいた人もいたし、それまでのユダヤ教に基づく秩序を壊そうとするイエスに、嫌悪感や怒りを覚えていた人もいた。しかし神の言葉を話すイエスには、救世主として、さぞ多くの名声が高まっていたことと思う。敢えて現代風に世俗的な言い方をさせてもらえば、イエスは当時の社会の中で、成功したのだ。

　多くの人々がひれ伏すような存在になったイエスが、自分の死を悟り、最後にしたことが、自分の弟子たちの足を洗ってあげるという行いだった。当時、他人の足を洗うということは奴隷がする作業だったそうだ。それをイエス様が目下の者たちにしてあげる。そこに成功者の驕りや高ぶりは一切感じられない。イエスは他者に仕える姿勢を、最後まで変えることはなかった。この箇所で学ぶべき教訓は重い。

　現代において、成功者と言われるようになるまで富や名声を獲得している人や、「成功」とまでは言えなくても、様々な分野で活躍を認められている人たちがいる。そういう方たちが申し合わせたように口に出す言葉は、「自分を信じて諦めるな」とか「私がやったように真似をしろ」というものが多い。つまり頑張れば、必ずできると言うことらしい。
　当人たちにとっては、本当に自分が実感した思いを素直に述べているだけなのだろう。恐らく心からそう信じているのだと思う。“成功体験”からくる聞き心地の良い言葉を並べ、それを他者に伝えようとするときに、悪気がないことも理解できる。しかし本当に頑張れば必ず夢は叶うのだろうか。或いは、夢が叶うことが全てなのだろうか。私には“できる人”の論理にしか聞こえない。それは真理ではないように思う。むしろ失敗したときにこそ、人生の意味を見つけるヒントが浮かび上がってくるのではないか。
　成功することが悪い事だとは、私は決して思わない。私も成功したい。人々から称賛されてみたいと思う。しかし成功したことを触れ回るよりも、悲しんでいたり弱ったりしている者に、常に寄り添える私でありたい。イエスという人は、常に弱い立場の人に愛を注ぎ続けた、希有な“成功者”だったのだと思う。

　頑張りたいけれども、頑張れなくて苦しんでいる人は多い。カウンセリング技術的にも、明らかに頑張っている人に、「頑張れ！」と声をかけるのはNGとされている。そういう苦しみの中にある人に向かって自分の成功体験を宣う多くの成功者は、自分に酔っている部分があると思う。少なからず自慢が入っている。
　自分が良かれと思ってやっていることが、実は御心に適っていない場合がある。物事が上手く運んだときにこそ、そういった罠にハマってしまうことが多い。自惚れてはいけない。それでは神さまに喜んではもらえない。洗足のイエスに学ぶのだ。

　成功体験は、“できる人”には有効かもね

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The rare “successful person”

　“He rose from the table, took off his outer garment, and tied a towel around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was tied around his waist.” (John 13:4-5)
　When I think about Jesus’ way of life, I feel humility and love. I want to live like that too. By the time Jesus was crucified and killed, many people had come to believe in and admire him. Though Jesus had no wealth, I think he garnered great respect from people. Since he was actually killed, there were those who plotted to kill him, and there were also those who felt aversion or anger toward Jesus for seeking to disrupt the order based on Judaism that had existed until then. However, since Jesus spoke the words of God, I imagine his reputation as the Savior must have grown greatly. To put it in modern, secular terms, Jesus was successful in the society of his time.

　Jesus, who had become a figure to whom many people bowed down, realized his own death and, as his final act, washed the feet of his disciples. At that time, washing someone else’s feet was a task performed by slaves. Jesus did this for those below him. There was no trace of arrogance or pride in the success of a man who had achieved so much. Jesus never changed his attitude of serving others until the very end. The lesson to be learned from this passage is profound.

　In modern times, there are people who have attained wealth and fame and are considered successful, as well as those who, while not necessarily successful, are recognized for their achievements in various fields. Many of these people seem to say the same things, such as “Believe in yourself and never give up” or “Do as I did.” In other words, they seem to be saying that if you work hard, you will surely succeed.
　For them, they are likely just expressing their genuine feelings honestly. I believe they truly believe what they say. When sharing their “success stories” and trying to convey those words to others, I can understand that they have no ill intent. However, does hard work truly guarantee that dreams will come true? Or is achieving one’s dreams the ultimate goal? To me, it sounds like the logic of those who are “capable.” I do not believe it is the truth. Rather, it is when we fail that we find hints about the meaning of life.
　I do not think that success is a bad thing. I want to succeed. I want to be praised by others. However, I want to be someone who can always be there for those who are sad or weak, rather than someone who boasts about their successes. Jesus was a rare “successful person” who consistently showed love to those in weak positions.

　There are many people who want to strive but cannot and suffer as a result. From a counseling perspective, it is considered inappropriate to tell someone who is clearly striving, “Keep trying!” Many successful people who boast about their own achievements to those suffering in such ways are, I think, intoxicated by their own success. There is inevitably some pride involved.
　What we do thinking it is good may actually not align with God’s will. It is often when things go smoothly that we fall into such traps. We must not become arrogant. That would not please God. Let us learn from Jesus at the foot of the table.

　Success stories may be effective for those who are already capable.