Growing in our Commitment to Serve

Introduction

Imagine what is taking place here in this house on a quiet evening. Jesus is having supper with his disciples. Then after they had finished eating Jesus took a towel and filled a bason of water and proceeded to wash the feet of his own disciples.

This was a foreign concept to those disciples Jesus had gathered together. In their worldly, secular training the master of the house might have the servant wash his feet at the end of a long and tiring day, but never, had they seen the master of the house wash his servant’s feet. A king or queen would never risk their honor to do something so beneath them that they would wash a servant’s feet. This was just not the custom of the day.

Jesus was not seeking to follow custom, but to teach a group of men how to be leaders and to do that he must teach them how to be servants. Jesus even pointed out in verse 13-14 that he was their master and that if he would serve them then they ought to serve others.

Truly in our society the idea of being a servant is a foreign concept as well. People want to be served, rather, than serve. They have no sense of willingness to show a kind gesture that would cost them any dignity.

As Christians I believe that we ought to have a servant’s heart. We should desire to serve others, help others, and live for others. By serving others we would in effect serve our living God. We must learn to have a servant’s heart. We must possess the a commitment to serve.

If we are going to have a commitment to service we must be like Jesus.

Jesus Served when he was in a position to be served

Jesus Served when he was not expected to serve

Jesus Served when others encouraged him not to serve