There was ... a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest. And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But you shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that serves. For who is greater, he who sits down to eat, or he who serves [him]? is it not the one who sits down to eat? but I am among you as him who serves. — Even the Son man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Jesus rose from supper, and laid aside his garments, and took a towel, and put it around himself. After that he poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel he was using as a waistband.
Everyone wants servants. We all like people to wait on us, at least sometimes. In the New Testament era, if you had servants, you were an important person, and deserved special treatment--especially from your servants. However, Jesus turned the entire process on its head. His question is not "Do you HAVE servants," but "are YOU a servant?" Jesus presents Himself as the ultimate Servant--the Son of God, who came as the perfect Servant--Servant of God, Servant of mankind, ultimately meeting our greatest need--eternal life through His own death as a ransom. The final verses illustrate--Jesus is the humble Servant, meeting the needs of His disciples--their needs for comfort, care, release, cleansing. He is completely able to meet your needs, and in so doing says, "Take My yoke [of service] upon you..." His desire is for us to become like Him in our service, and in our care for the people we know--especially the people of God.
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