We’re in the fourth of five episodes in our Jesus in the Love Languages mini series where we look deeper at the ministry of Jesus. Tune in to hear ways Jesus showed words of affirmation, quality time, giving gifts, acts of service, and physical touch. Today’s episode 28 is about 2 Ways Jesus Shows Servant Leadership in the last hours before his death. Hear how Jesus modeled love through acts of service by showing humility and sacrifice.
CLICK PLAY TO LISTEN: EP 28
Disclaimer: There are many acts of service that Jesus demonstrated during his life, but for today, we’re talking about 2 ways Jesus shows servant leadership in the last hours before his death. Let’s dive in.
The love language of acts of service comes naturally to some, while it’s lacking for others. My husband and I are the perfect example of this. He is the best at acts of service, and it’s totally off my radar. At one point, I even made a list of a few things I could do each day to show this love language to my husband. It sounds silly, but it worked! With time, I improved in this area and he feels super loved since that’s his primary was of receiving love.
By piggybacking off of these results, I know that as we walk through this episode, we will be able to take away these key points to better show love through acts of service. I can testify today, that with time and effort, acts of service can become more natural to you too! Remember, loving others well is important, and what better way to do that than look at the life and ministry of Jesus? Let’s look at 2 ways Jesus showed servant leadership in his last hours before death. Let’s do this!
#1 Acts of Service Through Humility
The first of the 2 ways Jesus shows servant leadership is acts of service through humility. Jesus did this frequently during his time on Earth, but today we’ll discuss one example. Jesus washing feet. We’ll be in the book of John, and I find it interesting that John’s account is the only gospel that mentions this happening. Fun Fact: John’s content is 90% unique compared to the other gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Pretty cool, huh?
Some quick Brooke Breakdown coverage: I would strongly encourage you to read the book of John up to this point. It’s won’t take you long, and it’ll make this moment in scripture more impactful. This moment in John chapter 13 takes place after Mary anoints Jesus’ feet with the crazy expensive perfume, after palm Sunday, and after Jesus predicts his death. Jesus knows his time has come to leave this world, and he knows that Judas will betray him.
Jesus Washes Feet
Keeping all of this in mind, let’s read John 13:4-8. I’ll be in the NLT. What I want you to look for is how Jesus is showing love through washing the feet of the disciples. Here we go:
So he (Jesus) got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”
John 13:4-8
First, let’s make a mental note that this is an outdoorsy place, in a dusty land, and sandals are the option for shoes at this point in history. Picture this, you go on a little summer vacay with your family to the beach. You’re walking to the shore with the kids in tow while dad drags the off roading wagon full of your beach accessories for the day.
You get your towel all nice and spread out ready to plop down and read your book. While you were fixing the beach towel, the kids managed to get their feet wet as the waves roll up. These angelic humans of yours then proceed to run through the sand and right up to you and walk all over the towel you just perfectly laid out. Anyone else upset about all the sand/mud on the fresh towel?
Now, imagine you, in your sandals, walking all over creation in Jerusalem, and running water isn’t a thing, and certainly not that really cool shower jet foot sprayer they have at the beach. The one where you push with the button with your foot and it power washes all the sand off of you and your bucket of beach toys. Yeah, the feet of these 12 guys, probably had some caked on dirt, not to mention stinky sweaty feet.
Perspective
How would you feel, if the King of the Universe, Jesus Christ himself, wanted to wash your feet with them being in that state. I’m the girl that washes her feet before getting a pedicure so the person painting my toenails doesn’t have to experience what my feet are like after a work day. Jesus, in his perfectly humble self, isn’t gawking at how dirty your feet are. He cares about how clean your soul is.
Peter says it perfectly, “You will never ever wash my feet.” Why? It’s gross, it’s servant stuff, it’s below Jesus. But Jesus, in his act of service through humility creates the perfect symbolism here. “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” It has to be him. It has to be Jesus. He has to be the one who washes us clean. There is no substitute. This is the only way. Man, that gets me right in the symbolism! Jesus is the only way we can be washed clean. More on that in a couple minutes.
Live it Out
So, how can we replicate this first of 2 ways Jesus shows servant leadership? Glad you asked. Let’s keep reading. John 13:12-17, NLT:
After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
John 13:12-17
Do as I have done to you. Jesus also makes the point that humility matters. Whether you’re the CEO or the shuttle bus driver, your role is, first and foremost, ambassador to Christ. Does that mean we literally need to go around washing each others’ feet? Not necessarily, but there have been times in my life where I’ve done that, and it was intentional and pointed back to Jesus.
What’s more likely to happen is you be presented an opportunity to choose humility or choose honoring self. Based off of the first of 2 ways Jesus shows servant leadership in his final hours, here are a few ways we can show acts of love through humility:
- Give credit where credit is due
- Talk about others more than yourself
- Brag on people to their face and behind their back
- Carry the load, whatever that is
- Apologizing, and making it right, publicly if needed
- Be transparent with your mistakes
- Lead from the front, not order from the back
- Set the tone of servant leadership by going first
When we put down our pride and pick up the humility Jesus models for us, we honor him. We have the opportunity to show love through acts of service and servant leadership no matter what earthly title we’ve got going for us. Another huge point to drive this home: Jesus knew about Judas and how he would betray him, and washed his feet too.
Is there someone like that in your life? Maybe it’s not as intense as betrayal. Who is that person for you? How can you show them love through humility? Be right back, going to get a big piece of humble pie now, and try not to choke on the irony of my looking right into the mirror on that one.
#2 Acts of Service Through Sacrifice
The second of 2 ways Jesus shows servant leadership in his final hours is probably the most obvious answer. Jesus showed love through his ultimate sacrifice; dying on the cross to save us from our sins. I want to reiterate that Jesus showed many acts of service throughout his time on Earth, and we are discussing a couple from his last hours before death. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, he was able to put death to sin, and give us the opportunity to choose life through him.
Before we read specific scriptures, I highly recommend reading the gospel of Mark up until the point of discussion (chapters 1-14). It’ll give you a ton of background plus, you’re actually putting your eyeballs on the word. That never returns void, and reading the Bible for yourself is the best thing you can do. Here’s a quick Brooke Breakdown of Mark chapter 14. You’ll notice some overlap since it’s one of the synoptic gospels:
- Jesus gets his feet anointed by Mary (Martha’s sister)
- Judas agrees to betray Jesus
- The Last Supper happens (see previous act of service)
- Jesus goes to pray in the Garden of Gesthemane
- He’s betrayed, arrested, and goes before council
- Peter denies Jesus three times
Brooke Breakdown: Mark 15
We’ve looked at the humility as one of 2 ways Jesus shows servant leadership in his last hours, and it goes right along with what’s happening next in the story; his sacrifice. We’re in Mark 15 if you’re reading along, so grab those gel pens. Before we get into the direct scripture focus, it’s important to note what’s happening before his actual death.
In Mark 15:1-15 the religious high council ties up Jesus, and leads him to Pilate, the Roman governor. The religious high council are accusing Jesus of wrongdoing, and Jesus’ response is silence. I don’t know about you, but when someone accuses me of something I didn’t do, I definitely speak up. What’s happening here? Let’s keep reading from Mark 15. Side note: It was a the governor’s custom each year to release one prisoner at Passover. Mark 15:9-15, NLT:
“Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!” So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. The soldiers took Jesus into the courtyard of the governor’s headquarters (called the Praetorium) and called out the entire regiment. They dressed him in a purple robe, and they wove thorn branches into a crown and put it on his head. Then they saluted him and taunted, “Hail! King of the Jews!” And they struck him on the head with a reed stick, spit on him, and dropped to their knees in mock worship. When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified.
Mark 15:9-20
Perspective
As we read through that scripture, what were you feeling? Jesus, guy who never sins, is not only convicted of something with not proof, he’s sentenced, not just to die, but to die by crucifixion. They stripped him, beat him, broke him, spit on him, and mocked him.
As a mom, can you imagine how Mary felt? Wanting to rescue her son, but knowing full well that this is the plan all along. My heart breaks reading this scripture. My sin played a role in this. He did all of this so we could have a path forward to eternal life with him. He didn’t argue back, he didn’t fight back, he didn’t make the pain go away. Jesus sacrificed himself for us. What an act of love.
Live It Out
What do we do knowing what he’s done for us? Sister, I’m so glad you asked. It’s simple. If you haven’t done it yet, take a moment and talk to God. Admit that you’re a sinner, and you need saving from hell. Believe that God sent His son, Jesus, to die on the cross to save us from our sins and rose three days later (spoiler alert). Commit your life to Christ. Walk how he walk. Read your Bible, pray, live in fellowship with other followers, and tell the world about Jesus.
Reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus, and follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit as opportunities present themselves. Jesus did allllll of that for us, can we sacrifice a few things to love through acts of service? I think we can. Here are some ideas:
- Sacrifice your fear and speak up about Jesus
- Let go of your pride and serve someone who’s “doesn’t deserve it”
- Exchange hesitation for confidence when you share your testimony
- Trade your free time for Bible reading time
- Sacrifice 5 minutes of sleep for 5 minutes of prayer
- Give up an evening in front of the TV and go meet with other believers to encourage each other
- Shake off the nerves and get that holy spirit boldness to walk up to someone and tell the about how the King of the universe came down and sacrificed himself, and will change your life forever.
Wouldn’t you rather have an awkward five minutes for your pride if that meant leading someone to Christ? Yes. A thousand times yes! Jesus literally put blood, sweat, and tears into making a way for us to be with him. I think we can handle some clunky convos and talk about it. Ask yourself, “What can I sacrifice for Kingdom work? Still hesitant? Each some humble pie and ask God for help. He will help you.
Podcast Recap
Are there more than 2 ways Jesus shows servant leadership in his last hours? Absolutely yes. I would love to encourage you to go back and read the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and see for yourself. Today, we discussed two, and man I know these are two great places to start.
- 1: Acts of Service Through Humility
- 2: Acts of Service Through Sacrifice
40 Day Prayer Challenge Info
Speaking of prayer, did you know that the Easter season approaches? I love how this Love Languages mini series is prepping us for reflection on the ministry of Jesus. There is something called lent, or the lenten season, and it’s a time period of 40 days that commemorates the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert (shout out episode 26). People spend time reflecting on the the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Lent looks differently for people and the season of life they’re in, while others do the same practices each year.
Something that I enjoy is spending time in intentional prayer, and I would love or you to join me for the 40 day prayer challenge taking place this lenten season. Do you have to tie it to lent? Not at all. Is prayer an important spiritual discipline that will bring you closer to God? Yep! If you’ve been wanting to get better at developing a habit of prayer, or looking for something to do to help you focus on the Easter season, this is for you! It’s free, and it’s for everyone! Here are some detials:
- Step 1: Join the email list. All the info and details will be sent through email. Head to brookecollier.com and enter your email where prompted. Details will come your way in a few days.
- Step 2: Subscribe to the Busy Christian Mom podcast. The 40 day prayer challenge will be 40 daily episodes. When you subscribe on Apple Podcasts, for example, the daily prayer will come straight to your app.
- Step 3: Spread the word! Prayer is good for everybody. Invite your home group, your book study crew, Bible study girls, your mama, your neighbor, your dog. There is power in prayer, and we have the opportunity to spend 40 days in holy anticipation of what God is going to do.
Join the email list, subscribe to the podcast, spread the word. 40 Day Prayer Challenge begins March 5th (Ash Wednesday) and runs every day through Palm Sunday.
Links from the Show
- Pinterest: Brooke Collier BCM
- Busy Christian Mom Instagram
- Etsy Shop: Busy Christian Mom
- Jesus in the Love Languages Mini Series (ep 25-29)
