Serving in Love
Then he said, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do...If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life. John 13:12-17
When most of us imagine Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, our minds see Jesus as the servant. But when I picture that scene of Jesus kneeling to clean away the dirt of the day, I see Jesus the humble. Then it dawns on me that serving and humility are two sides of the same coin, they go together.
Hopefully, I’m not alone when I admit I have served people over the years, but my heart was not always humble. There were times when I did things for recognition or to fulfill some obligation or duty. I have grumbled or whined far too often over my responsibilities or the tasks set before me. My attitude was not like that of Jesus, who gave us the greatest example of serving with humility. As the disciples debated who was the greatest in the kingdom, Jesus the King knelt and washed their dirty feet.
So then, how do we have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: “Who, being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Phil. 2:5–8).
I believe we start by thinking of ourselves less. Not thinking less of ourselves, which is false humility, just not focusing on our wants all the time. True humility flows not from a desire for recognition, but from knowing we have undeservedly benefited from the humility of Christ Himself. Can you imagine that on the evening before the torture of the cross, Jesus did not think of Himself? Rather, He thought about His disciples. Jesus demonstrated a spirit of profound humility, saying that he came “not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28).
Jesus’ example teaches us that serving with humility can be a powerful expression of love. It is a decision and an action. It is serving both the lovable and unlovable. It is serving the one who betrays you along with the one who stands by you. Love is a decision to humbly serve without an expectation of return. Love is freely given away, not held back by fear of rejection. Are we willing to get dirty, sacrifice our time and help remove the dust and grime that so quickly accumulates on our souls as we walk through life together?
When you know God is for you and understand His great love and sacrifice, you no longer have to strive to do things to be noticed. You don’t need to work to avoid punishment or to earn a reward. Instead, serving and caring for others becomes a natural overflow of a grateful heart. The “have to’s” turn into “get to’s”. I pray we have eyes to see the amazing opportunities to share the love of Jesus by humbly serving those that God places in our lives. Friends, that kind of service is love in action, and it changes us and changes those around us.
By Pastor Andrea Galindo