Imitating Christ in Service

Generally, when we think of Christ’s example in His work of serving others, what comes to mind is His washing of His disciples’ feet in the Upper Room before the Last Supper, an act of self-humbling and a lesson in the Lord’s supreme humility

that is celebrated almost literally in some religious circles to exemplify the spirit of service that leaders should have toward the people they minister to (John 13:1–20).

The spirit of service is not optional. The scene the apostle John recounts in that passage bears witness to a Lord who humbled Himself to the utmost in an act of love His disciples did not expect. God humbled to perform a servant’s task, God washing away the dirt brought in from the world, leaving His seat at the Passover table—a symbol of the throne and of His authority as Teacher and Lord—taking off His robe (v. 4)—as though setting aside His greatness—and tying a towel around His waist to wash their feet, including the feet of the one who, a few hours later, would betray Him. It was the last night the Lord would be with His disciples before His martyrdom on the cross.

I want to highlight verses 4 and 5: “…He rose from supper and took off His robe, and taking a towel, tied it around His waist. Then He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and dry them with the towel tied around His waist.”

Jesus exchanged the robe that covered His body for a simple towel tied around His waist. Christ set aside His majesty and greatness for a moment to take on the nature of a servant. The robe, a symbol of our God’s authority and lordship in His condition as a man. The towel, a sign of the instrument of love used to wash away and dry the impurities, vices, perversions, excesses, and debauchery, because Jesus, who never ceases to show mercy in our lives, seeks to wash the feet of His disciples today, day after day.

All of us wear a robe, that something we find difficult to take off so that we can serve others with true joy and Christian devotion. We serve, but for our own convenience; we help others, but expect something in return. Pride? False modesty? Hypocrisy? There was a time in my life when I covered myself with such a robe, but God was kind enough to remove it and show me my own nakedness. Serving those who apparently contribute little or nothing to our lives can turn into religious opportunism, but not Christian service.

Jesus was the example and held Himself up as an example by taking the place of the servant. He humbled Himself at the feet of Judas the betrayer, who would help bring about His death. The greatness of our Lord was revealed in this exemplary act of love, and He reminded the disciples of His own teachings: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matt. 5:43–44). Loving those who declare themselves our enemies will always be a great test in our lives, but the word of God is infallible, so we have no excuse not to try, at the very least. Imitating Christ in service is an act of total self-giving that buries all bitterness in the heart so that God’s love may emerge and prevail over every personal benefit. We will have to take off the robe, which may represent anything from what we treasure most to our darkest feelings, in order to offer the service the Lord expects of His children.

Each day the Lord gives us the opportunity to discover many areas of our Christian lives in which we can serve others. We need only wisdom from above and to imitate the example of our Savior (wisdom is the ability to see life from God’s perspective through the work and grace of the Holy Spirit). Until we come to understand this way of serving, our spiritual growth may well remain at a standstill. I pray that the Lord will tie His towel around your waist.

God bless you!