John 13

"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."  John 13:15
"A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  John 13:34-35

Displaying a servant attitude towards others is not a popular concept in the world's philosophy. The world believes that we need to "look out for number one" and defend our rights.  Jesus, however, commands us to lovingly serve each other.  Jesus so desired for us to show a servant attitude to one another that it was one of the last things He talked about with His disciples the night before He went on the cross.

Jesus not only talked about being a servant, however, but He demonstrated it by washing His disciple's feet.  The streets and roads of those days were not paved and so were dusty.  Hence, it was important for feet to be washed after being out in the dirty streets.  This was a menial task usually performed by a servant.  It seems as if this time no servant was available, and not one of the disciples were willing to perform this task. Perhaps they thought washing feet was below their dignity.

Verse three of John chapter thirteen reads, "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God."  In spite of the fact that Jesus was the Son of God and had all power, something amazing happened next in verses four and five!  Jesus began to wash the disciple's feet!  He performed a servant's job which the disciples had thought was below their dignity!  Peter at first objected to Jesus washing his feet. Jesus told Peter in John 13:8b, however, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me."  The foot washing was symbolic of the spiritual cleaning from sin that Peter needed.  It is also symbolic of the spiritual cleansing that you and I need as well.

Jesus Christ's demonstration of what it meant to be a servant extended far beyond foot washing, however.  The very next day Christ died the horrible death on the cross for your and my sins! Christ being a servant for you and I involved Jesus being forsaken on the cross by God the Father.  Jesus Christ was willing to pay the punishment for all God's wrath against our sins! Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for your and my sins!  The wonder of what He did for us is almost too much to comprehend!

Our lives should be lived in eternal gratitude for what He has done for us.  One way we can do this is by showing a servant attitude to each other. Jesus said in John 13:15, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."  Later in verse seventeen Jesus said, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."  Jesus was saying that you and I will find joy in life by having a servant attitude towards others!  Jesus went on to say in John 13:34-35, "A new command I give you: Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Our standard for our love for others is Christ's love for us!  It is the distinguishing mark of Christ's followers.  We are to carry the aroma of Christ to those around us!  How far you and I fall short in all this!  We must not become discouraged, however.  The Holy Spirit is working in our hearts and lives to make us more and more conformed to the Lord's will.