A life of service
… he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
John 13:4-5 (NIV)
Shortly before Jesus’ death he sat down with his 12 followers, known as disciples, to eat the Jewish Passover meal. However, as was often the case with Jesus, things didn’t go how his disciples had expected them to! There was bread and wine being served at the meal, which Jesus used to draw his disciples’ attention to how he was going to die. At the meal Jesus also washed their feet, a job that was normally done by a servant after people had walked through the dusty streets in open-toed sandals.
The foot washing and the symbolism of the bread and wine are both examples of Jesus’ love toward us. He came to this earth to serve us by giving his life for us. He was God in human form, yet he didn’t assume any of the trappings of the great and mighty people of this world.
What about us? Do we aspire to position, riches or power? That wasn’t Jesus’ approach. Even the most common name he gave himself, the Son of Man, indicates a desire to not emphasise superiority. Jesus tells us that “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45). And the Apostle Paul instructs us, ‘In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…’ (Philippians 2:5).
As we approach Easter we may be thinking about Jesus’ amazing self-sacrifice for humanity. Jesus, who gave his life for us, tells us to have this same approach to each other: to metaphorically take on the role of a servant and wash each other’s dirty feet. Jesus told his disciples, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you… Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:15,17).
Prayer
Father, we thank you for the amazing sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. Please help us to have this same attitude of self-sacrifice, that we too would live a life of service to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by Anthony Dady
Anthony Dady is a Minister in Grace Communion International and is the Regional Pastor for Wales, the Midlands, and Northern England.
Local congregation:
GCI Northampton
Ecton Village Hall
78A High Street
Ecton
Northampton
NN6 0QB
Meeting time:
Saturday 10:30am
Local congregational contact:
Gavin Henderson
Email: gavin.henderson@gracecom.church
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church