Free to Serve

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things unto His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God, rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, he girded himself about . . . and began to wash the disciples' feet . . . (John 13:3-5)

Pre-meal foot washing was not a religious requirement, but an honored custom and generally household servants' work. In homes without servants, however, someone at the table usually would volunteer to wash the guests' feet. At Jesus' meal with his disciples, what kept one of the disciples from assuming this task? Competition, most likely. Other gospels, e.g., Luke 22:24, relate the disciples' bickering over who would be preeminent in Jesus' kingdom. They were energized and full of imagination about the grand days ahead. Their disputes probably doubled from the joyous entry into Jerusalem four days earlier and the clamor and excitement about them since. The competition for power, status, and recognition, sucked life out of their freedom to serve one another. They were too locked up to serve.

Jesus, already turned toward suffering and death, nevertheless was free to serve. Why? Read again verse 3: "Knowing . . . He came from God . . ." suggests that Jesus knew his worth. He accepted his identity as his heavenly father's beloved. He knew his life would not dead end. He had a destiny. He knew that service, suffering, and death could not diminish him. John also reveals that Jesus knew God would empower him to serve, suffer, and save through love all worth saving. Knowing who he was, where he was going—and trusting in God's provision every step of the journey—Jesus freely gave himself in service. In contrast, the disciples had turned from one another.

What frees us to serve? The same realities that freed our savior. We are in God's image—his beloved. Our worth is given, not earned. Our destiny to serve his kingdom. Knowing this, accepting this, internalizing this, living this, we are free to serve. We have nothing to lose—everything to gain. I believe we all yearn to hear these words, "Well done my good and faithful servant-friend."