One of the names given to Jesus in the New Testament is “Son of David.” For many people, this title evokes the
kingship of Jesus—and rightfully so. David was a great king, and Jesus is our King of kings.
In Acts 13:36 we read, however, this perspective on the life of King David from the apostle Paul: “For David,
after he had served his own generation by the will of God.” David was not regarded by the first disciples of Jesus
primarily as a great soldier, statesman, king, or psalmist—although he certainly filled all of those roles—but
as a servant. David was perceived as being used by God for God's purposes. He functioned as a servant of
God to the people of Israel. Servanthood under God's command and authority was David's most important trait.
In this way, Jesus is most assuredly like David. He was and is the supreme Servant.
Both David and Jesus knew the secret for true success from God's perspective: Discover God's goals for your
life and then achieve those goals.
God's goals for David were that he unify God's people into one nation, create a centralized place for the worship
of God, place a renewed emphasis upon praise before God, and defeat the enemies of God. In fulfilling these goals,
David served.
God's goal in sending Jesus to this earth was that Jesus might show us what God is like, through both word and
deed, revealing to us a loving, healing, saving, and delivering heavenly Father. God's goal was also that Jesus
might become the definitive and universal sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. In fulfilling these goals, Jesus
served.
• Reflect upon your own life. What goals do you believe God has for you? How is the fulfilling of those goals
your means of serving God?
A Life of Service
We often think of Jesus' ministry, or His years of “active service,” as being the final three years of His life
on earth. What we often fail to recognize is that for nearly thirty years, Jesus served His family. The
historical tradition within the Christian church is that Joseph, Jesus' earthly father, died when Jesus was a young
man, perhaps even a young teenager. As the eldest son in the family, Jesus became responsible for the general well-being
of his mother and his earthly brothers and sisters. In all likelihood, Jesus filled this role in a very practical
way—providing the family income and helping in the training of his younger siblings—until the youngest of his siblings
was either married or had reached adulthood.
You may feel that your life right now is so busy with family obligations and responsibilities that you cannot
serve God. The truth is, you are serving God as you serve your family. That may be the sole or primary role that
God has for you right now. Be a parent as if you were a parent to the Lord Jesus Himself. When you serve your children
from that perspective and with that motivation, you are serving God.
It was in serving His family that Jesus no doubt developed a great deal of the compassion we see in Him during
His ministry years: He reached out to children, He touched lepers, He embraced outcasts, He quieted the fears of
the fearful. Compassion is a trait that is part of Jesus' humanity as much as His divinity. One does not
develop overnight this ability to care for others; it was a pattern that had grown in Jesus throughout His years
of caring for His own family.
• How do you feel about the service you give your family, and about how Jesus cared for His family? In what
ways do you feel challenged in your spirit?
A Profound Act of Service
One of the most profound acts of service in Jesus' life occurred during the Last Supper that He shared with
His disciples before the Crucifixion. As you read through these verses, mark those words and phrases that stand
out in a special way to you.
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 disciple's 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?”
Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean,
but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.”
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. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:2–17)
• What new insights do you have into this passage of Scripture?
Some churches have turned foot washing into a frequent ceremony. While I don't necessarily disagree with that
practice, I certainly do not believe that Jesus established foot washing as anordinance for the church—something
that we must do in a scheduled ceremonial fashion. Jesus said He was giving us an example. A foot-washing ceremony
can be very meaningful, but it is meaningful only to the extent that it is an example of humility in service
one to another.
What Jesus was most concerned about in washing the feet of His disciples was that they see demonstrated an attitude
and a character of ministry that was important for them to have. Jesus used a vivid means of demonstration so that
His disciples would never forget His principle truth to them: You must be the servants of one another.
We know from another of the Gospel accounts (Luke 22:24) that the disciples were disputing at the Last Supper
which of them was to be considered the greatest. Jesus' response to this dispute was an act of service.
Normally, the host of a home would provide servants to wash the feet of guests as they entered the house from
the dusty streets of the city and roads of the countryside. Guests were expected to come to banquets or dinners
such as the one that became Jesus' Last Supper, having bathed and wearing clean garments. This is what Jesus meant,
in part, when He said, “You are already bathed; now you are fully clean.”
His meaning went deeper, however. Jesus was referring to their spiritual nature. Jesus went on to explain during
the Last Supper: “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you”
(John 15:3–4). He knew that all but one of the disciples, Judas, had fully believed the words of Jesus and were
abiding in Him. Judas, however, had chosen to harbor rebellion in his heart and was not abiding fully in
the words of Jesus.
Why did Peter initially balk at having Jesus wash his feet? One of the reasons no doubt was because Peter was
sitting at the “foot” of the table. In occupying that position during the supper, it was his responsibility to
be the servant of the table if there was no other servant. If feet had needed washing, it should have been Peter
who was doing the foot washing. Peter certainly must have felt embarrassed that Jesus was preparing to do what
Peter should have done.
Jesus insisted on washing Peter's feet, however, against Peter's protests. He wanted Peter to see very clearly
that unless Peter learned to receive from Jesus all that Jesus desired to do for Him—including the greatest service
of all which was yet to come, His sacrificial death on the cross—Peter would not be in a position to serve others.
It is only as we receive service, or ministry, from Jesus that we can become true servants to others.
The lesson to Peter and the other disciples was this: As Jesus served them, so they were to serve others.
They were to be just as sensitive as Jesus to the needs of others, just as responsive as Jesus to the needs they
perceived, and just as generous as Jesus in their loving care of others.
The same is true for us. We are to serve others in humility and kindness, just as Jesus washed the dusty feet
of His disciples only hours before His arrest and crucifixion.
What the Word Says
Whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among
many brethren (Rom. 8:29).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
A servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these
things, blessed are you if you do them (John 13:16–17).
What the Word Says to Me
Service to the Least Deserving
One of the things I want you to notice in the example of Jesus washing the feet of His disciples is this: Jesus
washed the feet of Judas. He knelt before the man who already had aligned himself with Jesus' enemies and who would
betray him within a matter of hours in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew what He was doing even as He
washed the feet of Judas. He said, “I know whom I have chosen” (John 13:18).
Many people find it easy to serve those who are good people—perhaps those who seem temporarily down on their
luck or are going through a crisis or transition that has left them in need. It is much more difficult for most
people to serve with generosity and fervor those whom we consider to be “bad.” It is much harder to take a basin
and towel and to kneel before a mean-spirited, deliberately rebellious, or hardened person. Jesus, however, is
our example. He washed the feet of the man who was the ultimate hypocrite, pleasant to His face, but 199 percent
opposed to Him in his heart.
• Have you ever been required to serve someone who was unlovable or difficult to please? How did you feel
about your service?
• Have you ever been the benefactor of service from someone even though you knew that you were acting in
a less-than-Christlike manner? How did you feel about that person's service to you?
Paul had specific words to say to those who found it difficult to serve their masters. A number of people who
became part of the first-century church were slaves—some to Christian masters and some to unbelievers. These slaves,
free in their spirits in Christ Jesus, nonetheless were called to continue to be servants. These Christian believers
were richly blessed and endowed with spiritual gifts, yet they were required to continue to do the most demeaning
and humbling acts of service in the practical realm. As you read the passages of Scripture below, apply what Paul
and Peter wrote toyour service of others.
What the Word Says
Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of
God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because
they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved (1 Tim. 6:1–2).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.
For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what
credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if
you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:18–21).
What the Word Says to Me
• What new insights do you have into servanthood?
The Most Menial of Tasks
In washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus was engaging in one of the most menial tasks that a household servant
performed in the first century. Jesus was sending a clear message that He was willing to do anything for
His disciples.
Are you willing to do anything that God asks of you today? God will never ask you to do anything that
is sinful or that is foolish. Neither act would bring glory to His name. But God may ask you to do something that
is extremely menial.
In my years as a pastor (prior to teaching this series of lessons) I never once had a person come to me and
say, “Pastor, give me the most menial job in the church. Give me the chore that is the worst to do or the job that
is least likely to be recognized.” If such a person had come to me, I certainly would have felt that I was in the
presence of genuine greatness.
If you are too good for a task, the reality is that you probably are not good enough for it in God's eyes. Any
job done “as unto the Lord” is a worthy one, regardless of the nature of the job or the degree of recognition that
is associated with it. Keep in mind always that the world's idea of success and service is not God's idea for success
and service within His kingdom.
Is there anybody whose feet you would refuse to wash? That may very well be the person whom God most desires
for you to serve!
What the Word Says
He who is greatest among you shall be your servant (Matt. 23:11).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you
are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever
humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 18:2–4).
What the Word Says to Me
Serving “As Unto the Lord”
The disciples learned the lesson that Jesus sought to teach them. From the time of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection
onward, they equated all forms of service to others as a means of serving Jesus. Jesus had taught them this lesson
about service not only in His washing the disciples' feet, but in His receiving a special gift from Mary of Bethany.
We read in the Gospel of John:
Six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was who had been dead, whom He had raised
from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table
with Him. Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet
with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil.… Jesus said … “She has kept this for the
day of My burial.” (John 12:1–3, 7)
Jesus not only knew how to give service to His disciples in washing their feet, but He knew how to receive
the service of those who loved and followed Him. He allowed Mary to anoint His feet and to demonstrate her love
in this way. Her giving was a sign of Jesus' impending death.
When we serve others today, we ultimately are serving Jesus. We are demonstrating our love for Him in the way
we minister to others. Our gifts to Jesus, through our service to those around us, are also a sign—a sign of His
resurrection power and His desire to save and heal all humankind. Our service is the greatest witness we can give
to the Lord Jesus.
An act of service is anything that we do that promotes the kingdom of God, especially those things that
are clearly characterized as being righteous, peaceful, and joyous (Rom. 14:17–18).
• How do you feel about serving Christ by serving others?
• In what ways are you feeling challenged in your spirit?
What the Word Says
Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men—pleasers, but
in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing
that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ (Col. 3:22–24).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who
serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men (Rom. 14:17–18).
What the Word Says to Me
The Greatest Service of All
The ultimate service of Jesus can be summed up in one word: Cross. As I indicated at the outset of this lesson,
God's goal for Jesus was that He become the sacrifice for our sin. Jesus fulfilled that goal in His death on the
cross.
God doesn't let any person get by with sin. Sin causes us to be estranged from God, and God's purpose is always
to reach out to us and bring us to reconciliation with Himself. He continues to convict us of our sin until we
come to a point of confession. After we have received God's gift of forgiveness, if we fall into sin and error,
the Holy Spirit convicts us until we confess, and by His power, repent and live in righteousness before Him.
The soul that sins willfully and continually, ultimately dies (Rom. 3:23). Jesus was God's supreme means of
atonement—of bringing God and man into relationship so that man might be free of guilt and eternal death. It is
for this purpose of atonement that Jesus came into this world.
A significant part of God's purpose for your life is that you be a witness to God's love through all that you
do and say. You are to be a witness to God's saving power. While you are not required by God to die on the cross,
you are called by God to live and die in such a way that others are made increasingly aware of God's plan of forgiveness.
Service cannot be separated from witness or ministry. When you serve others with joy, peace, and righteousness
radiating from you, you are a witness to God's love and desire to forgive, a witness to Christ's crucifixion and
resurrection, and a witness to the Holy Spirit's empowering and guiding presence. When you serve others, you are
a minister … you are embodying the work of the Holy Spirit to others.
Can you have a witness without service? Can you truly minister to others without having a servant's heart? You
may give a form of witness or ministry, but you will not be a genuine witness, and your ministry will not
bear much fruit unless you have a servant's heart and are motivated by your love for Christ Jesus.
What the Word Says
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious
appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every
lawless deed and purify for himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:11–14).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world (1 John 2:2).
What the Word Says to Me
What the Word Says
Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Mark 8:34).
What the Word Says to Me
• What new insights do you have into what it means to have a servant's heart?
• In what ways are you feeling challenged in your spirit?
From Developing a Servant's Heart by Charles
Stanley. Copyright 1998 by Charles Stanley.
