Jesus’ Example Of Servant Love

Friday, October 28, 2022 

He rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.  John 13:4-5  

This particular passage of scripture was just before the Passover, the first meal eaten with the Lord’s Supper.  We get a very good look at the true nature of Jesus and His love in these verses.  This is a good model for us to model our lives after.

Jesus’ Love was a Servant Love

With great humility Jesus poured out the water and began the menial servant task of washing the feet of the disciples.  It surprised everyone that night, but it shouldn't us who sit on this side of the table. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45) 

The Basin and the Towel teach what it means to be a servant. 

• Jesus was a servant in spite of His circumstances.  If anyone had a reason to not be around people or to run away, it was Jesus. He was about to endure torture and humiliation to redeem us to Himself. I think the key here is what verse 3 says Jesus knew it was in God's hands. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God.

How many times do we miss an opportunity to serve others because it is inconvenient or doesn't fit into our schedule? How often am I so wrapped up in my circumstances that I miss opportunities to serve? 

• Jesus had to get wet and dirty. The scriptures tell us that Jesus got up from His supper and took off His garments. He was going to have to get on the floor and get to the disciples feet to wash and dry them. Same thing happens when we serve others. We get involved in their lives. Our hands get "dirty". There will always be some cost to us when we "take up the basin and the towel." 
• Jesus was not in a hurry.  He took His time with each disciple while washing their feet. Not only did Jesus wash their feet, He took the time to wipe them dry. He could have had them all line up in a row and pour water over their feet as they stood there, and then tossed them a towel with a "here ya go, fellas!"            What does this mean for us? Serving others takes time and our attention. Proper service focuses on the individual and not just the group.

It is important to know what it feels like to be served before we truly understand service.  Can we understand the humility that is required to receive? Jesus’ Love was a Humbling Love  v.6-9  The disciple who will not humble himself to be served is not fit for service. There is no spiritual relationship without cleansing. Humility is the beginning of holiness.  When you discover what God demands for relationship, how far will you go?  “Lord you can have this and this” does not please God.  He wants all of you. You can do all you can to get right with God – but you still have to humble yourself and let Him wash your feet.  Just thinking of the amazing grace and mercy He shows us is humbling.  He wants us to accept that grace and mercy and to extend it to others but sometimes He wants us to humble ourselves to other people and accept their acts of love.

For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. John 13:15