The Savior’s Servants

The Savior’s Servants

Read: John 13:1-17

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”

John 13:15

“We can do no great things; only small things with great love.”

—Mother Teresa

IN WORD A genuine appreciation of what Jesus did for us in His incarnation, death, and resurrection is just the beginning. His ministry is not just a beautiful event that we can admire for its wisdom and for the salvation it brings us. It also has practical implications for us. Looking back at that divine descent from glory to corruptible flesh, from self- existing life to a humiliating death, the disciples were to be struck with a personal realization: We are to do as He did.

Jesus took off His respectable clothes and wrapped Himself in a servant’s towel. He washed the dirtiest part of the human body in a semiarid climate and a pedestrian culture. There is nothing glorious about cleaning feet. There is no recognition to be had there, no accolades for a great accomplishment. The disciples had surely had their feet washed before—by “real” servants—and had likely never even thanked them. Why should they? They were only doing what servants are obligated to do. Jesus spotted the dirtiest, most thankless area of physical need for the disciples and met it as an illustration of His mission. Then He got up and told the disciples that they should behave in exactly the same way.

IN DEED How often do we consciously do acts of service that others consider meaningless and unworthy of their talents? How often do we approach the needs of this world with a self-emptying attitude that will stoop as low as those needs demand? It goes against our human nature, doesn’t it? We’re always striving to work our way up, not work our way down. We think if we can attain to a higher status we can impact more people for the kingdom of God. Perhaps so, sometimes. But Jesus’ example might lead us in another direction—farther down. Lower. Toward less glory. With less recognition. According to the Savior, that’s the way to greatness in God’s kingdom. As strange as this behavior seems, it’s how He saved us. And it’s how others will be saved. Jesus calls us to do as He has done for us.