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Jesus was born to serve. He showed us how to serve those in His ‘inner circle,’ His twelve disciples. As He prepared Himself for the cross in the upper room at the last supper, surrounded by those He loved, He readied them for His death. John 13:1 says, “Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.” Jesus was a servant leader. He said that he did not come to be served but to serve. He was worthy of being worshiped as King, but yet washed the feet of his disciples and knowingly washed the feet of one who would betray Him . The humility and servant love of Jesus are to inhabit, inform, shape, and fuel every relationship in which we participate as God’s people. Jesus chose a towel and basin, not a scepter and title, to define leadership. Foot washing, not power taking, is the way of the gospel. "And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?" John 13:2-6 (NKJV).
Servanthood is not about position or skill. It’s about attitude. Leaders seek ways they can add value to others, and the primary way they do it is by serving them.
Jesus Served Obediently:
Jesus served obediently, keep my commands - that just means being obedient. So he reminds us that he has led by example and been obedient to God because he wants us to also be obedient to God. This also means when we served obediently, we act out of love for others rather than selfishness we will find joy. Our obedience has a great impact on those around us. When we choose to be disobedient to God we choose to not be an example of Jesus which can lead people away from him. Following Jesus’ example, we must serve Him obediently and lovingly. “So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him" John 13:12-16 (NKJV)”. What is your definition of being obedient? How do you feel when you are required to be obedient? Do you think Jesus felt the same way? How do we find joy in being obedient like Jesus did?
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