We Serve Others

June 20, 2021

Bible Readings

Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.

John 13:1-17

Memory Verse

Mark 10:45

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (NIV)

written by Ron VandenBurg
illustrated by Chad Thompson

Casey and her dad are at a washing station at the edge of a beach. Dad is on his knees, using a sprayer to wash the sand off Casey. A bench is behind them.
Casey says, “Thanks Dad, but I can do it myself.”
Dad says, “I don’t mind washing your feet, because...”

Casey is on a bench now and Dad is grabbing a towel. He’s still on his knees. Dad says, “...when we are on our knees, we can’t look down on other people…”

Casey is seated. Dad continues with a smile and looks up at Casey as he dries off her feet with a towel, “...we can only look up to them.”

Print Comic

Winter was on a retreat with a bunch of other students. At the end of the retreat, the leaders challenged everyone to wash someone else’s feet as a way to serve each other. Imagine how grossed out you’d feel about kneeling down and washing the sweat and dirt off of your friend’s hot and stinky feet after playing outside all day. That’s exactly how Winter felt.

But that’s also exactly what Jesus did in John 13. He and his friends had been traveling all day, and as they prepared for supper, Jesus took a bowl of water and a towel, knelt before each of them, and washed their tired and grimy feet. Jesus wanted to make sure his disciples understood that serving others was important. In Mark 10—when Jesus’ disciples were arguing about the positions of authority they wanted in his kingdom—Jesus told them that he hadn’t come to be served, but to serve others. By washing their feet, Jesus showed them what it means to serve others.

When it was her turn to wash her friend’s feet, Winter realized she hadn’t come to this retreat just for herself. She was there to serve others as well. As she dried her friend’s feet with a soft towel—and her friend did the same for her—she was moved by the beauty of the event.

When we think about following Jesus, serving others is at the top of the list. It is a privilege to be able to walk alongside other people and use the gifts that God has given us to share the love of Christ with them as we serve.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us such a great example of what it means to serve each other. Help us use the gifts that you have given us to serve others everyday. Amen.

Related Resources

Liz and Friends

Dirty Jobs

Liz and Friends

At Your Service

Bible Story

Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man

Activity

Somebody's Got To Do It

Bret Lamsma

Bret Lamsma is the Director of Faith Formation at First Christian Reformed Church in Denver, Colorado. He has also served churches in California and Michigan. He has a passion for youth ministry and intergenerational ministry in the local church. When he isn’t working at church or writing he enjoys hanging out with his wife and 2 children, hiking, woodworking, and watching movies.