Choosing to Serve

KEY VERSE: “Verily, verily I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord, neither [is] he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” —John 13:16

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: John 13:1-17

WE WILL BE helped in our understanding of this occasion when Jesus washed his disciples’ feet if we consider the circumstances under which it was performed. From Luke’s account we find that there was contention among the disciples when our Lord gave this lesson in true humility. Just a few days before, the mother of James and John had said to him, “Grant that these, my two sons, may sit the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom.” (Matt. 20:21) This desire to be important seemingly had affected more than James and John, for Luke 22:24 reads: “There was … strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.”

Because of the dusty roads of Israel, and because of the open sandals which were worn then, it was customary upon the arrival of guests for the householder to have a servant wash their feet as an act of respect and hospitality, and also to refresh the traveler.—Gen. 18:4

On the occasion of the Master’s washing the disciples’ feet, the group was assembled in the ‘upper room’; no host was there to welcome them, and no provision had been made to make them comfortable. Apparently this question of who should be accounted the greatest had developed, and none was willing to humble himself to perform the task of washing the feet of the others—a menial service. So they ate the supper, contrary to the usual custom, without their feet having been washed. When the Master saw that none of the disciples was willing to do this service, he did it himself.

Thus Jesus rebuked the spirit of pride which had corrupted their fellowship, and taught them that if he, the Master, was willing to serve the lesser members of the Lord’s family, and to minister to their comfort even in the most common way, they, as his followers, should be willing and glad to serve one another in humble ways.

The Master was not teaching the necessity to actually wash one another’s feet; but rather, to be willing in humility to “serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13) Some believe that by this act our Lord instituted a ceremony to be performed by his followers, and so they wash one another’s feet. However, we do not share this view. In their pride and desire to be greatest, the disciples had lost sight of the measure of true greatness.

Our Master’s action not only rebuked their pride, but set an example for them and for us that should apply to every affair of life. As humble disciples we should always be ready to serve, not only in great matters, but also in the little affairs of life. This washing of ‘one another’s feet’ applies to every service, every kindness that we can render our brethren, especially along lines that will be of spiritual comfort and encouragement, for, “he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”—Matt. 23:11

Jesus’ humility was displayed in his willingness to render small services. Are we interested in serving only under circumstances which will result in some praise or glory to ourselves, while leaving the little things for others to do? How very appropriate it is that we accept Jesus’ invitation, “Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart.”—Matt. 11:28

The Apostle Paul wrote, “Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being, in the form of God, he did not [snatch at equality with God, New English Bible], but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”—Phil. 2:3-8

We should thus learn of Jesus with the view to being like him. Jesus freely acknowledged that of himself he could do nothing; that it was only because the Father worked in and through him that he was able to do the works which he had been sent into the world to do. (John 5:19,30) Do we realize that the same thing is true of us? Undeniably we do not have the same outstanding works to do, but do we realize that even the little things assigned to us would be impossible of accomplishment except as the Heavenly Father blesses us with his wisdom and strength?

Jesus humbled himself under this test to the fullest possible extent. Only those who humble themselves under the mighty hand of God may expect to be exalted by him to glory, honor, and immortality, to live and reign with Christ a thousand years.—Rom. 2:7

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