The Eternal Servant

“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying him with the towel that was wrapped around him. When he finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place.” John 13:3-5, 12

We continue watching Christ in the upper room as an observer into one of the most powerful scenes in the Bible. The earthly ministry of Jesus is coming to a close and important teachings are still required for the disciples. Jesus felt the approaching fulfillment of His death and His return to God in Heaven. He needed to exemplify a few more necessary truths. Our powerful scene opens with Christ removing His outer clothing and preparing to serve His disciples in the lowest duty of a servant of that time – washing the feet of guests.

The Believer’s Bible Commentary states, ‘It was the consciousness of who He was, and of the mission and destiny, that enabled Him to stoop down and wash the disciples’ feet. Rising from supper, the Lord laid aside His long outer garments. Then He put a towel around Himself as an apron, taking the place of a slave. This symbolic act reminds us of how the Lord left the ivory palaces above, came down into this world as a Servant, and ministered to those He had created.’ p. 1542.

Fast forward a few thousand years…nothing has changed. Christ wears many garments of God but is never too busy or too exalted to serve us. He sets asides His magnificence of Master and tenderly and gently stoops down as we reach up. He continues to serve and cleanse as we continue to hurt and sin. Through His service to us we can more readily serve Him. We can pick up that garment of Christ and wrap it around our shoulders exemplifying the attitude of Christ. When our seasons of hurting and cleansing are temporarily over Christ returns to His role and position as Master of the Universe and serves man both collectively and individually through His faithfulness. He returns to His throne seat but His apron is always clean and pressed.

Whether we are being cleansed or comforted, our Savior becomes Servant washing our sins and pain away at the same time we serve our Savior.