Why Serving Others Matters

Jesus knew that the Father had put

all things under his power,

and that he had come from God and

was returning to God;  

so 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 13:3-5

 

I love this moment in Jesus’ life.

After hundreds of miracles and countless opportunities to be elevated to a place of great earthly power,

Jesus chooses to spend the last “free” night of His life on this planet in a quiet room with His closest friends.

Instead of reflecting on all He has done or why He is on the earth or even what will be happening in the next few days,

He lowers Himself to the ground and washes the feet of fishermen and tax collectors.

Jesus doesn’t need to prove Himself.

Deep inside He knows all He needs to know about who He is.

 

He knows He is the Son of God.

He knows God has placed all things under His power.

He knows He came from God.

And He knows He will be returning to God.

 

Because He knows all of these things are true,

He demands service from everyone around Him and looks down on mankind.

 

NO.

 

Because He knows all of these things are true,

He takes off His outer garment, wraps a towel around His waist, pours water into a basin, and washes the disciples’ feet.

 

In that moment, Jesus knew what we all need to know.

Serving others matters.

 

If you know who and Whose you are today,

you will find yourself free to serve others.

 

You will find it easier to help a co-worker,

lend a hand to a family member,

or even be kind to a stranger.

 

There’s power in knowing that you don’t need power.

There’s strength in knowing that alone you are weak.

There’s confidence in knowing that who you are has nothing to do with what or where you are in life.

 

If you find yourself in the company of someone who needs power in order to feel significant,

pray for them because they are trying to make it in this world on their own strength and abilities.

 

If you find yourself struggling to have the confidence you need to make it through today,

remember your true source of strength can’t be found in you alone.

 

Jesus washed the disciples’ feet because He knew His power was from God.

 

For even the Son of Man did not

come to be served, but to serve..

Mark 10:45

 

When you grasp the power God offers,

you’ll find yourself trying less and less to impress and more and more to serve.

 

He gives strength to the weary and

increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:29

 

His divine power has given us

everything we need for a godly life

 

through our knowledge of him who

called us by his own glory and

goodness.

II Peter 1:3

Do nothing from rivalry or conceit,

but in humility count others more

significant than yourselves.

Let each of you look not only to his

own interests, but also to the

interests of others.

Have this mind among yourselves,

which is yours in Christ Jesus. (ESV)

Phil 2:3-5

Praying you find your strength in Him today and because of that confident knowledge you take the opportunity to serve those around you.

 

Serving others shows the world the power only Jesus offers.

 

And that’s why serving others matters.