Be a Servant

When we know that death is around the corner, we gather our family and close friends around us. We spend our precious time bidding farewell. Jesus spent the last days of His life on earth, before His arrest and death, with His disciples, whom He loved dearly. With a heavy heart, He explained to them what was about to happen to Him. He spent time encouraging and instructing them.

Jesus’ last meal with them, the Last Supper, revealed His servant-leader heart and His glorious character. He took off his outer garment and wrapped a towel around his waist to prepare to do the menial job of a servant. One by one, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet.

The disciples had seen the Son of Man calm the storm and walk on water with authority. They had tasted the wine which He had miraculously produced from water. They had witnessed their Rabbi heal people and drive out demons. They had just begun to grasp the full extent of His power and greatness. And now, they were confronted with the vastness and depth of His humility and love.

Washing the disciples’ feet was a powerful and beautiful expression of Jesus’ sacrificial mission and paradoxical character. Born in unusually modest surroundings and raised by a working-class family, Jesus lived the life of a common man. Though He was the Son of God Most High, His ministry years were spent on the road, rather than in a palace. His royalty was invisible to most men. His humility was obvious to all.

Jesus’ parting command to His followers at the Last Supper was to follow His example of servanthood and humility. If He, our Lord and Master could do it, we, His servants and children, can do it too.

Respond

• How do you respond when your church or community needs people to do “menial” jobs?
• Has God placed you in a leadership role at your workplace or ministry? How has your position inspired you to stay humble?