1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Jesus’ Example
Matthew 20:28: Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The Bible tells us in Philippians that we should have the same mind in us as was in Jesus, that even though He was equal with God and was God, He humbled Himself and took on human flesh and wrapped Himself in the garb of a servant.
In John 13 Jesus poured water into a basin, took a towel and began to wash the disciples feet. In those days, foot washing was a common practice due to the dusty and dirty conditions of the roads. Washing the feet of guests was usually performed by the lowest-ranking servant in the home. This act of humility and servitude by Jesus set an example for those who truly follow Him:
John 3:13-17 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Washing feet was a task that was beneath even the lowest people of society in those days, it was reserved for the lowest of the low. But Jesus did it as the ultimate call for us to take on servanthood and humility. No task should be beneath us, we should never feel we’re too good to do certain tasks.
Our Calling
Romans 12:16 AMPC Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits.
The world strives after positions, wealth, prestige, titles and power; this is certainly not the culture of the Kingdom or how God desires us to be. The need for these things and for recognition is birthed out of our flesh, which is our sinful nature.
Galatians 5:13 “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh (sinful nature); rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Mark 10:42-45: “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant” Mark 9:34-35 “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all”
The Way Up in the Kingdom
In Philippians, the Bible says because Jesus humbled Himself and stooped so low as to take on the garb of a servant, and go to the cross, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that’s about every name. 1 Peter 5 says God resists the proud, but gives grace, blessing and favor to the humble. James tells us to “humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that in due time He may exalt you”. In the Kingdom, the way up is the way down. John the Baptist said “I must decrease, He must increase.” We humble ourselves by the actions we take, and the heart behind those actions, by allowing God’s love to flow out of us, and giving ourselves over to humble tasks. We must always examine our motives and intent, and make sure what we do is from a pure heart.