Serving with Humility: Learning from Jesus’ Example
As we prepare our hearts to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus, it's essential to consider how Jesus prepared His disciples to continue His mission. One of the most powerful lessons He taught them was through an act of humility—washing their feet.
In John 13, Jesus demonstrates servant leadership in a way that stunned His disciples. This moment was more than an act of kindness. It was a living illustration of what it means to lead through humility and serve others with love. As followers of Jesus today, this act calls us to a deeper level of humility, accountability, and service to one another.
In John 13, Jesus demonstrates servant leadership in a way that stunned His disciples. This moment was more than an act of kindness. It was a living illustration of what it means to lead through humility and serve others with love. As followers of Jesus today, this act calls us to a deeper level of humility, accountability, and service to one another.
Jesus Modeled Humility in Action
“Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God. So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself” (John 13:3-4).
Even though Jesus was fully aware of His divine authority, He humbled Himself to serve His disciples in the lowliest of tasks—washing their feet. In first-century culture, foot washing was reserved for the lowest-ranking servant. Feet were considered the dirtiest part of the body, caked with dust and grime from daily life. Yet, Jesus chose to kneel before His disciples, washing their feet as an act of sacrificial love.
This act of humility wasn't just about clean feet. It pointed to something far greater—the need for daily cleansing from sin. As Jesus knelt before His disciples, He was illustrating that even those who have been made clean through faith still need to confess and repent of daily sin to maintain intimacy with God.
Even though Jesus was fully aware of His divine authority, He humbled Himself to serve His disciples in the lowliest of tasks—washing their feet. In first-century culture, foot washing was reserved for the lowest-ranking servant. Feet were considered the dirtiest part of the body, caked with dust and grime from daily life. Yet, Jesus chose to kneel before His disciples, washing their feet as an act of sacrificial love.
This act of humility wasn't just about clean feet. It pointed to something far greater—the need for daily cleansing from sin. As Jesus knelt before His disciples, He was illustrating that even those who have been made clean through faith still need to confess and repent of daily sin to maintain intimacy with God.
Humility and Confession: Daily Cleansing for Believers
Jesus’ interaction with Peter makes this truth clear. When Peter initially resisted, Jesus responded, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me” (John 13:8). Peter, realizing the significance, then asked for his hands and head to be washed as well. But Jesus clarified that those who have been cleansed (symbolizing salvation) do not need to be completely washed again—only their feet need cleansing.
This picture points to the ongoing need for confession and repentance in the life of a believer. As we walk through the world, we inevitably pick up “dirt” in the form of sin. Though we are saved through faith in Jesus, we still need to confess our sins daily to maintain fellowship with God. As 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This picture points to the ongoing need for confession and repentance in the life of a believer. As we walk through the world, we inevitably pick up “dirt” in the form of sin. Though we are saved through faith in Jesus, we still need to confess our sins daily to maintain fellowship with God. As 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Serving One Another Through Accountability
Jesus then turned to His disciples and said, “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you” (John 13:14-15).
This command goes beyond the physical act of washing feet. It points to the responsibility we have as believers to help one another stay spiritually clean. Authentic biblical community is where we lovingly hold one another accountable—encouraging confession, repentance, and faithfulness to Christ. When we walk in humility with one another, we create an environment where spiritual growth and authentic discipleship can flourish.
This command goes beyond the physical act of washing feet. It points to the responsibility we have as believers to help one another stay spiritually clean. Authentic biblical community is where we lovingly hold one another accountable—encouraging confession, repentance, and faithfulness to Christ. When we walk in humility with one another, we create an environment where spiritual growth and authentic discipleship can flourish.
Do You Have Foot-Washing Relationships?
True biblical community means having people in your life who know you—your strengths, struggles, and areas where the enemy tries to deceive you. These are the people who can speak truth into your life, challenge you toward greater faithfulness, and encourage you to walk in step with Christ. Are you part of this kind of community?
Life Groups, men’s and women’s Bible studies, and discipleship groups offer a place where these relationships can develop. These environments provide a space where we can “wash one another’s feet” by encouraging each other toward confession, repentance, and ongoing growth in Christ.
Life Groups, men’s and women’s Bible studies, and discipleship groups offer a place where these relationships can develop. These environments provide a space where we can “wash one another’s feet” by encouraging each other toward confession, repentance, and ongoing growth in Christ.
Walking in Blessing Through Humble Service
Jesus concluded by saying, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). The blessing of God is found not just in knowing what Jesus taught but in putting it into practice. Serving others with humility, encouraging one another toward holiness, and staying in fellowship with God leads to the kind of blessing that transforms our lives and advances the mission of Christ.
Your Next Step: Follow Jesus’ Example
As we reflect on the humility of Jesus, the question we must ask ourselves is: Are we willing to follow His example? Will we humble ourselves to serve those around us? Will we cultivate authentic relationships where we can lovingly encourage one another toward confession, repentance, and faithfulness?
Following Jesus’ example means living with a servant’s heart, staying humble before God, and helping others stay on the path of righteousness. This is how we walk in the blessing of God and participate in His mission in the world.
The hour has come—serve one another.
Following Jesus’ example means living with a servant’s heart, staying humble before God, and helping others stay on the path of righteousness. This is how we walk in the blessing of God and participate in His mission in the world.
The hour has come—serve one another.
This blog is based on a message preached by Lead Pastor Dr. Brian Stone as part of the His Hour series on Sunday, March 30. You can watch the full message here.
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