Lesson 10: Service 113
on current service rather than potential, future honor. He called for his
disciples to embrace a mindset and practice of service to such an extent
that those who were captive to the power and reality of sin and death
could meet him and be set free.
In our contemporary context, it often seems many people echo the
request of James and John. Many prefer to sit next to Jesus rather than
at his feet. Rather than living as submissive disciples, there are those
who frankly would prefer to exercise the power and authority of Jesus
while receiving the honor, rewards, and benefits given to those near
him. It can be difficult to admit to ourselves that we might prefer being
near to Jesus and speaking in his name more than living as true Christ-
followers. However, one cannot pick up the towel of the Master until he
or she is first sitting at his feet. At the foot of the Master is where identity
and power are transformed into a paradigm of service, service that often
involves suffering for the advancement of the kingdom of God.
The Example of Service (John 13:12–16)
13:12–16. If Mark 10 issued a strong call for disciples to develop the habit
of service; John 13 offers a potent example of service. Jesus taught and
then demonstrated the model of service he expected from his followers.
John 13 is the opening snapshot of one of the most important evenings
in the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus continued to redefine identity,
power, and service. At communal meals the host would commonly
assign a servant to wash the dusty feet of the guests.
Jesus inverted the normal procedure. Though identified as “Teacher”
and “Lord” (13:13), he elected to take upon himself the dirtiest and most
humble of tasks. In this action Jesus revealed that other-centered love
was less about exercising positional authority and more about self-emp-
tying service. Such service includes a willingness to suffer by standing
in solidarity with areas and people the world labels as “dirty.” Regardless
of age or positional authority, disciples are to lead past perceived barriers
and join Jesus in “washing the feet of others.”
These verses make clear Jesus’ invitation for his followers to become
like him. The goal of the servant is to become like his or her master.
Moreover, the disciple who does so by embracing a habit of service “will
be blessed” (13:17). Only on two occasions does the Gospel of John indi-
cate a manner in which an individual may be “blessed” (the other is