As we move through this series of Jesus’ example of major parts of the Christian walk, I knew that serving others would have to be one of the topics. It has been said that we are no more like Christ than when we forgive. We will get to forgiveness next week, but I think serving others is a close second. Let us look to John 13 to see Jesus show us how we are to serve others.

Unending Love

Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having [greatly] loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally). John 13:1

For context, this example takes place on the Thursday of Holy Week and Jesus is hours from His trial and crucifixion. Jesus is aware that this will be His last meal. Instead of taking the night off to rest for the next day, He celebrates the Passover feast with His disciples. Jesus is not phoning it in because His time draws near, we see He continues to love those who are with Him perfectly. This verse only tells us of the love, as we continue, we will see this love move into action. That alone shows the first key to service. Serving others does not start with the service; it starts in the heart. You do not serve as Jesus has served if you do not have an abundance of the love of God, leading you to serve others.

Unrestricted Humility

It was during supper, when the devil had already put [the thought of] betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, that Jesus, knowing that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now] returning to God, got up from supper, took off His [outer] robe, and taking a [servant’s] towel, He tied it around His waist. John 13:2-4

This passage gives a little insight into why this example of Jesus serving is so incredible. As it says, Jesus knows Judas will betray. Often, there is a misconception that you only need to serve those that make it easy, or those who deserve it. Jesus shows us that we are to serve everyone. If Jesus can serve Judas, the man responsible for His arrest, we can serve those that make it hard. Another thing these verses reminds us is that Jesus was fully aware of His sovereignty. Where a lesser man would use their power as an excuse to not serve, Jesus proves His power by serving. Jesus has more power than any human and yet He still stoops down to serve in an extremely humble way. We should strive to mirror Jesus in serving others. That requires a great deal of humility, to serve those who we don’t think deserve it and to serve those who we may think we are above.

Unreserved Service

Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist. When He came to Simon Peter, he said to Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied to him, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but you will [fully] understand it later.”John 13:5-7

After looking at why Jesus served this way, His great love and humility, we finally see Jesus actually serving. We see Him doing one of the lowest acts of service, the washing of feet. Back in biblical times, masters couldn’t even ask their servants to wash their feet, yet the King of kings, without prompting, steps into the role of a servant. The One with the greatest power washes the feet of His disciples, including those of His betrayer. It is important to point out that Jesus did this without prompting, and even when Peter objected, Jesus insisted. It’s one thing to offer to serve someone, but it is another thing to continue serving even after they object. It can be easy to take the off ramp, but sometimes we should continue serving even after someone objects. In closing, we should strive for this serving mindset Jesus  displayed and to do so we must first mirror His great love, humility, and then be willing to do whatever is needed to serve others.