Jesus Serves Us—And Calls Us to Serve One Another (John 13:1-17)

Some moments in Scripture invite us to simply stop and watch. John 13 is one of those moments. It’s the night before the cross. Jesus has ended His public ministry and now turns His attention to His disciples—His closest friends. The crowds are gone, the noise of Jerusalem fades, and we’re ushered into an upper room where the Son of God does something no one expected: He gets on His knees and washes His disciples’ feet.

This moment is more than a humble gesture—it’s a living sermon.

The message? Jesus serves us, and He calls us to serve one another.

1. See the Master’s Service (vv. 1–5)

John tells us that Jesus loved His disciples “to the end”—meaning to the fullest extent. His love wasn’t temporary or half-hearted; it was enduring, sacrificial, and complete.

In the ancient world, washing feet was a job reserved for the lowest servant. Guests wore sandals and walked dusty streets, so this task was dirty and unpleasant. Yet here, the Lord of the universe ties a towel around His waist and kneels before His friends—including Judas, who would soon betray Him.

Why? Because in God’s kingdom, greatness is measured by service, not status.

2. Receive the Master’s Service (vv. 6–11)

When Jesus reached Peter, the outspoken disciple resisted: “Lord, do you wash my feet?” Peter didn’t yet understand that to follow Jesus means first being served by Him. But Jesus was clear: “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.”

This foot washing was symbolic—a preview of the greater cleansing Jesus would accomplish on the cross. There, the ultimate Servant would take the full weight of our sin and offer us forgiveness.

If you have trusted in Christ, you are completely clean—justified before God. But, like dusty feet on a long walk, daily life in a sinful world requires continual cleansing. We need to keep coming back to Jesus, confessing our sin, and letting Him renew our hearts.

3. Imitate the Master’s Service (vv. 12–17)

When Jesus finished, He asked, “Do you understand what I have done to you?” Then He explained:

“If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

Jesus wasn’t instituting a ceremonial ritual—He was setting a pattern. Serving each other in the church family is not optional; it’s essential. It’s the mark of true discipleship.

In God’s kingdom, leadership is upside-down. The greatest leaders aren’t those with the most authority, but those with the deepest humility. That’s why in our church, we value servants over power-seekers—people who quietly meet needs, invest in relationships, and point others to Christ.

What’s Holding You Back?

Two barriers often keep us from serving:

• Control – We cling to our plans and schedules, resisting interruptions.

• Comfort – We choose convenience over costly love.

But following Jesus means surrendering both. We serve because He first served us—and His Spirit gives us the power to love others sacrificially.

A Call to Action

The cross is the ultimate display of Jesus’ service to us. If you belong to Him, that love should overflow in practical ways:

• Praying for someone in need.

• Bringing a meal to a sick friend.

• Helping with Sunday setup or cleanup.

• Visiting someone who’s lonely.

• Meeting a need when it’s inconvenient.

The question is simple: Whose feet will you wash this week?