The Passion and Humility of Christian Service

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him (John 13: 1-5).

John the Evangelist was moved by the Holy Spirit to highlight the incredible focus that Jesus had during this last week of His incarnation. He was fixed and determined to journey to the cross, the grave, and the resurrection. But along the way, He was also concerned about preparing His disciples to assume their part in God’s great plan to save souls and build the Church. The disciples would have to know and be ready to die for the gospel, but they were learning about what was at the heart of the gospel message. In a meal near the beginning of this most intimate and important week, Jesus paused to teach a precious lesson about the passion and humility of Christian service.

True disciples have always been known as imitators of Christ. They are set apart from the rest of the world as they follow His example of serving others… “But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. Even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45). If we look closely at the example Jesus presents in today’s scripture, we learn that He was motivated to serve by some important truth that filled His heart.

Jesus knew the devil was fighting for the hearts of His disciples… “The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him.” He wanted them to know He was aware of the great temptations they faced and He would always be quick to forgive and cleanse them as they overcame the power of sin… “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7).

Jesus knew His Father was in control of His life… “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands.” His heart was not consumed by the approaching ordeal of the cross because God was in control of His circumstances, He was free to stop and care for what really mattered, the hearts of His children. This was His moment to prepare their hearts for ministry by showing them His own servant heart… “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2).

Jesus knew He was soon to return to His Father. He would leave His disciples to carry on the work He began and He promised that they too would join Him in heaven at the end of their work here on earth. Jesus looked forward to the Father’s joy at their reunion, and He wanted His disciples to anticipate the same blessing from the Father… “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21).

What Jesus knew prompted Him to serve His disciples. He showed His great love for them by meeting the growing needs in their hearts. They would soon need the assurance of forgiveness and cleansing in their relentless war against temptation and sin. They would soon need the assurance that the Father was in control of their lives as they followed His lead and trusted His power in the battle for the souls of men and women. They would soon need the assurance of heaven to get them through the trials of earth. In washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus set aside His position of authority and status and became a passionate and humble servant. In this act He pointed to the cross and showed us how to serve others… “Christ Jesus… emptied himself by taking the form of a servant… he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Philippians 2:5-8).

As we grow up into Christ we learn to imitate and share His great love with the world through…

The Passion and Humility of Christian Service.