“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 NIV
The last night Jesus spent with his disciples, recorded in John 13, they ate together, gathered in one room. Jesus didn’t just use words to convey a vital message to his group. His actions spoke to the heart of his ministry and ours; service.
During the meal they shared, Jesus arose, took off his robe and tied a towel to his waist, then took a basin of water and washed each disciples’ feet. When all 24 feet were clean, he gave these words as a testament to the true colors each follower of Christ should display:
Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you, I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.” John 13: 12-17 NLT
Let’s closely look at the true colors Jesus laid out for us to follow.
Everyone is a child of God. When Jesus knelt to wash the feet, he physically put himself in a position below the men and into a role of a servant. The cultural norms at the time meant the servants of each household washed the feet of guests. If there were no servants, each person would wash their own feet. As Jesus performed the role of a servant, he broke open the path of understanding that each person is equally important as another. All of God’s children are significant.
God doesn’t look at us with labels, but through eyes of love and compassion, knowing that each of us carry gifts to be shared. Our true colors ask us to see others in this same light. We are all humans, created by God, to do his service.
Every task holds importance. Do you ever get bored, tired or frustrated with tasks you perform over and over each day? That’s our humanity talking. With a towel and basin Jesus says that every task is important, because every task is needed. Each duty becomes holy for us when we remember the true color of service. Gratitude can replace griping when we see our endeavors as service to God.
Jesus wrapped up his lesson in John 13:17 with a final command translated in various ways, all of which state the truth that happiness and blessing comes from serving others.
“If you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.” New Life Version
“You know these things–now do them! That is the path of blessing!” The Living Bible
“If you know these things and if you put them into practice, you will find happiness.” Voice
“If you understand what I am telling you, act like it–and live a blessed life.” The Message
Let love guide your service. If we go back to the beginning of this chapter in John, we find Jesus’ true motive in washing the disciples’ feet: “Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come and that it was time for him to leave this world and return to the Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.” John 13:1 NLT These words set the stage for the poignant scene we have been reading about today. Love was the primary factor in choosing to serve the disciples.
Love was God’s primary factor in sending Jesus to us. Two true colors combine to make a richer, deeper, more fruitful color. Love plus service equals happiness for all.
May this quote by Maya Angelou enliven your true colors as you serve God in love: “If you find it in your heart to care for somebody else, you will have succeeded.”
Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in your soul): Read John 13 and discover your own understandings about Jesus’ service to the disciples.
Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world): Carry the vision of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet with you as you work in this world.
Leave a Reply