"Servant"

There He is, the Son of God,

Down upon His knees,

Washing the disciples’ feet,

To show us, if you please,

The greater that you want to be,

The more your will to serve,

The greatest in the Kingdom,

Will have that kind of nerve,

On the way to certain death,

With a towel round his waist,

But still had time and carefully,

To do it without haste.

Do you know what I’ve done for you,

He said to one and all,

Betrayers and deniers,

A sacrificial call,

To come and die, take up the cross,

Like me, lay down your life,

If a seed will fall and die,

His words cut like a knife,

It then brings forth great harvest,

A world of changed lives then,

Because the death will lead ahead,

To being raised again.

Resurrection life begins,

When we find that lowest place,

The humble heart will grace receive,

And see the Savior’s face.

“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” (John 13:14-15, NAS)

It is only found in John’s gospel and yet is one of the most powerful components of the last meal Jesus had with His disciples. it was the traditional Passover meal, celebrating Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Now Jesus institutes a new covenant of deliverance, and uses the bread and wine to symbolize His body and blood. He will become the sacrificial lamb. But before He does, He takes the time to wash their feet and encourage them to do likewise. The power of it is unmistakable, and one we should not ignore. It is in dying we live, in serving we lead, and in selflessness we bear eternal fruit.

Lord, help us learn to serve, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Steve Boaldin, used by permission. Thanks, Steve, and God bless you.