A Humble Servant

There are few things more humbling than washing someone’s feet, but in this context Jesus forever defined service as choosing to minister with humility to the welfare of others for the glory of God.

When I serve, I am not always as free and spontaneous as I would like. I tend to be fairly willing and patient if I have chosen when and where I wish to serve, but so often if I am interrupted or intruded upon by unexpected circumstances that demand my service, I find myself becoming frustrated and impatient.

When I encounter these unplanned opportunities to serve, I pray a rather feeble but truthful prayer: “Lord, if I didn’t love you, I wouldn’t be doing this,” I have found this honest prayer helps my attitude and my actions as I serve—because love for the Lord should be the mainspring of my service. As I pray and focus on expressing my love for the Lord, I am drawn to humble myself and to look after the interests of others.

Mary of Bethany exemplifies a servant who served because she loved her Lord. After Mary’s time of sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His words, I think she grasped the truth that he was going to the cross. I believe that she pondered in her heart, How can I show Jesus how much I love him? I know— I’ll anoint his body for burial. Even though the disciples rebuked her for this extravagant intrusion, Jesus commended her for this heartfelt, priceless gift expressing her immense love and reverence for him.

Mary’s actions give us a worthy lesson to consider as we seek to be selfless servants. Mary humbled herself and thought only of Jesus; she was not concerned about what people might say or think. Abiding at the feet of Jesus was what prompted her to anoint the Lord and to give what she could to bless him. Perhaps true service is not showing people how much we love Jesus, but showing Jesus how much we love him.

Jesus left us a vivid example of what a true servant looks like. In all his relationships, he did not seek his own fame or glory; instead, he looked for how he could serve those who came across his path. His humility and gentleness were keys to self-sacrificing service, and so it should be with us.

The mainspring of Paul’s service is not love for men, but love for Jesus Christ.1 - Oswald Chambers

Prayer

Father, May I become a gentle and humble servant with a heart to wash feet. I pray that when I see you, I will hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Amen

1. Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, (Westwood, NJ: Barbour and Co., 1935), February 23.

If you found this reading plan to encourage you in your with Christ, you can visit Cynthia Heald's website at cynthiaheald.com .