Agape Filled Servant-Hood

What is Service?

When you think of service what comes to mind? In today’s passage the example of service we see is foot washing. Service is helping/assisting others.

How do we see servanthood displayed in the Bible?

Jesus washed feet. Feet that were open toed sandals on dusty poop filled roads. Again we see Jesus’ humility on display. The lowliest of work was not below God. Challenge you this week, clean the bathroom at your house.

More than likely this passage happened at the Last Supper.

What does agape mean?

Agape should motivate the servant’s heart.

Breaking the Passage Down

Personal trials do not exempt you from service. Jesus knew the events to end his life were in action, yet despite the toughest trial of his life he still had time to show friends and enemies love and served them. He didn’t choose to mope or spurge on himself, but he choose to ask himself how could he best show love to those around him and acted on it. Jesus knew he was going to die, but still choose to serve. Philippians 2:3 says:

Philippians 2:3 ESV

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

It does not say to do this only when it is convenient to you. This should always be our attitude. Life is seldom convenient, seldom are things just the way you like them. If you spend your life fine tuning everything you'll miss out on everything and everybody. I have told y’all a hundred times being a Christian is not about being comfortable, but about often getting uncomfortable.

Servant-hood is not dependent on comfort.

As he served he chose not to discriminate. He served the disciples who loved him and the disciple who would sell him out for 30 pieces of silver (~5 weeks worth of wages). He treated them just the same, he didn’t put a toe twist in there. This was not the first time money has influenced Judas’ decision making process. Judas was acquainted with Jesus because of what he could get out of him. I think it is save to assume for 3 years this was Judas’ mindset with his relationship with Jesus. As Jesus makes clear we don’t serve others because of how they treat us, but because of who we ultimately serve. Judas stole from Jesus, Judas talked behind his back, Judas handed Jesus over. Just because someone has mistreated you does not give you the right to mistreat them. In fact you have a Christian responsibility to look for ways to serve them.

Servant-hood can be an act of grace.

We see Jesus lay aside his outer garments. One thing I take from this is service has nothing to do with titles or position. We all are capable of serving. Jesus outer garment would have identify him as a rabbi. Our outwardly things don’t exclude us from serving. We all are made in the imago dei. Also removing a layer of clothing shows vulnerability. In a sense letting a guard down. To love people the way God has called us we must be willing to be vulnerable with them.

Servant-hood is best lived out in humility.

Service should be used to point to the Gospel. As we meet people’s physical needs we should also be concerned with their spiritual needs, and vice versa.

Servant-hood is a doorway to share the Gospel.

John 13:16 ESV

Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Now that we have discussed agape filled service, how do we put that into action?

Putting Service Into Action

How can you put service into action?

Yes church work day is one way, but that is a very small way. But if we just look at our acts of service being just church organized service then we are missing the whole picture. Service is more than local or national or international missions. Servant hood is a lifestyle.

Service can be as simple as slowing down enough to recognize people. Taking time to hold a door open is a simple way.

Serve with an expectation of nothing in return.

Without being told or bringing attention to it go home and clean the bathroom.