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What does a leader think of when they hear the word "servanthood"? Do they picture an activity carried out by relatively low-skilled people at the bottom of the organizational chart? If so, then you have the wrong impression. People often assume that others will think less of us when we serve; that people will assume we hold the lowest position in the organization. But that is a false picture of servanthood.
Almost everyone, when asked which person served them most in life, answers with their mother. Mothers seem to be the best example of servanthood, since they naturally serve the members of their family. And now another question: does this give people a lower or a higher opinion of their mother? Most people would say they value her more. And why? When people serve other people, it has exactly the opposite effect on them than originally assumed.
People are drawn to those who serve them sacrificially, not repelled by them. Serving adds value to people. Serving has nothing to do with position or abilities. It is a matter of attitude, of disposition. Leaders look for ways to add value to others, and they do this above all by serving them.
In John 13, the Savior of the world shows that he is also the greatest servant of all time. The story is familiar to many. When the disciples booked the upper room for the Passover feast, they forgot to hire a servant to wash their feet at the door. It was the custom to do this. When the disciples noticed that the servant was missing, interestingly, none of them volunteered for the task. Instead, they argued about who was the greatest.
When Jesus saw this, he decided to make it a lesson. After supper, Jesus took off everything except one garment around his waist. He even looked like a servant. Then he took a basin of water and a towel and began to wash his disciples' feet. As Jesus did this with his disciples, several insights about serving and adding value came to light.
Serving leaders are ...
1. Serving leaders are motivated by love to serve others. (v1-2)
Jesus' love was unearned, infinite, unconditional and selfless. It was not the disciples' worthiness or merit that led Jesus to serve them. He was not expressing gratitude, but grace. Love moved him to serve his disciples. The craziest part of it is that Jesus even washed the feet of Judas Iscariot, the man who would betray him and have him killed the next day.
2. Serving leaders have the self-assurance that allows them to serve others. (v3)
Jesus knew who he was, and he was secure enough to sit down on the floor and wash his disciples' feet. He had nothing to prove. And indeed, he had nothing to prove, nothing to lose and nothing to hide. Insecure leaders insist on their position. Secure leaders know what their influence rests on. Jesus' security allowed him to make himself both small and great.
3. Serving leaders initiate moments of service. (v4-5)
Jesus did not wait for someone to explain the protocol to him. He saw a need and met it. No one else had volunteered that evening to wash feet - so Jesus turned the event into an example. He began something he hoped these twelve disciples would pass on to others (John 13:12-15). Washing feet will never be fashionable. It is carried out by leaders who can serve humbly.
4. Serving leaders can allow themselves to be served. (v6-7)
The heart of a servant exposes the pride of others. Peter found it hard to let Jesus serve him. He still had a worldly view that assumed someone of Jesus' caliber should never stoop to washing feet. Sometimes leaders have to learn to let others serve them. They are so used to serving others that it is hard for them to relax and receive. In this case, Jesus asked Simon Peter to sit down so he could wash his feet.
5. Serving leaders want nothing to hinder their relationship with God. (v8-9)
Peter swung from one extreme to the other. When Jesus washed his feet, he wanted even more from Jesus. He wanted Jesus to wash his whole body. Peter shows an interesting attitude here. When Jesus was giving something away, he wanted to receive everything, all that Jesus had to give; he did not want anything to stand between him and his Lord.
6. Serving leaders teach servant leadership by their example. (v12,15)
Afterward, Jesus spoke about the meaning of his washing their feet. He reminded them that he had just washed their feet, and that no position or title should ever keep them from doing this for someone else in the future. His example was meant to be imitated. Indeed, his example was much stronger and more powerful than a lecture on the principles of serving. Actions speak louder than words.
7. Serving leaders live a blessed life. (v16-17)
Jesus reminded them that they are blessed when they follow him in this lifestyle. The greatest blessing follows those who, out of faith, do the opposite of what the world does. God blesses those who act "counter to the culture" and serve people without thinking about what they might get back from them.
Serving with added value
When leaders serve, they add value to the people who receive their service. This value can be as simple as the feeling of being worth something or being special. It can also consist of the leader putting a tool into someone's hands or speaking an encouraging word to them.
Whatever it is, people always receive something and feel better because of their leader. A good habit for a leader is to add value to everyone they meet; this means:
- adding something to their life instead of taking something away.
- equipping them with new strength and resources instead of taking any of that away from them.
This enables them to live the better life to which God has called them. That is exactly what Jesus did, day after day. Whether he met a Samaritan woman as in John 4, or a tax collector like Matthew or Zacchaeus, or a prostitute like Mary Magdalene - Jesus served them and gave them value. Perhaps that is why people thought so highly of him. He served.
Questions for reflection
- Do they put others above their own goals?
- Do they develop the trust and confidence to take risks?
- Do they look for a need and take the initiative?
- Do they perform small acts anonymously?
- Do they walk slowly through the crowd?
- Do they begin their day by reflecting on the love they have for others in their life?
- Do they have an initiative-taking attitude?
John 13:1-17
The washing of the disciples' feet
1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.