Tell Me the Story of Jesus - What About His Life? (Part 2)
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
Jesus, though a King, was a servant.
He Himself said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
There are several qualities about being a servant that we want to discuss in this article to help us further appreciate the selfless life that Jesus lived.
Jesus Humbled Himself.
Jesus willingly came to this earth and completely submitted to the will of His Father. The apostle, Paul, who made it his life’s mission to be like Christ, said this about the Lord’s humble submission and breathtaking example:
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:5-8).
First, notice that Jesus, Who is God, i.e “equal with God” (John 1:1-3), made Himself of no reputation. The phrase, “made Himself of no reputation,” means, “He emptied Himself.” Amazingly, He became poor that we might become rich (2 Cor. 8:9).
Second, consider that Jesus took on the form of a “bondservant,” literally, a slave!
Third, note that He came in the likeness of men (Heb. 2:17). This means He would experience everything humans experience including temptation, pain, and even death (Heb. 4:15-16).
Fourth and finally from this passage, recognize that He “humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death.” All of these amazing qualities teach and remind us that Jesus’ life was one of service, humility, and submission. What an example for us (1 Pet. 2:21)!
Jesus Demonstrated and Taught Humility.
On one occasion, Jesus “turned the upper room into a classroom” as He taught an impactful lesson to His disciples about the importance of humble service (John 13) (Wacaster, 113).
As the disciples were gathered together eating a meal with Jesus, He took a towel and girded Himself to wash the disciples’ feet. It was the place of the servant of the house to wash the feet of guests, certainly not the guest of honor!
The Master Teacher made a deep impression on the minds and hearts of the disciples, especially Peter who later wrote about the importance of “girding up” the loins of one’s mind and “girding yourself” with humility (1 Pet. 1:13-17; 5:5).
Jesus humbled Himself to a position of a servant to teach the disciples the importance of service:
“So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:12-17).
This great event in the life and ministry of Jesus helps to paint a vivid picture of what His purpose in coming to earth was all about! He had given His disciples an example, not an ordinance. They understood the act, but needed to see the significance.
The same is true for us today.
Jesus teaches us that greatness is found in service (Matt. 20:27) and that the way “up” in Christianity is “down.” If we exalt ourselves, we will be humbled; but, if we humble ourselves, we will be exalted (Matt. 23:12; Jas. 4:10).
While Jesus displayed this kind of humility and service throughout His life, the ultimate “service” was His death on the cross.
In His life, Jesus taught eternally important lessons and helped countless individuals physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
In His death, Jesus provided the ultimate sacrifice which provides an opportunity for the world to be saved through Him (John 3:16-17).
Again, two articles on the life of Jesus do not even touch the hem of the garment, but I do hope and pray that we will read, study, and be deeply moved and motivated to live like Jesus and for Him!
References
Wacaster, Tom. The Magnificence of Jesus: A Commentary on the Gospel of John. Pg. 113. pdf.
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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You said "The Master Teacher made a deep impression on the minds and hearts of the disciples, especially Peter who later wrote about the importance of “girding up” the loins of one’s mind and “girding yourself” with humility (1 Pet. 1:13-17; 5:5).
This is an interesting reference that Peter makes, perhaps, as you imply, referring to the foot washing at the last supper, where Jesus "rose up from supper and laid aside His garments. And He took a towel and girded Himself. After that He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded." (John 13:4-5)
This act of humility in taking his outer garment off and putting on a towel, which he then wiped his disciples' feet with, seems analogous to Jesus divesting himself of his Godly position and taking on the form of a man- and then the towel that he is girded with gets dirty by wiping the very dirty feet of his friends, is analogous to him learning obedience by the things he suffered.
Such a moving and important act- strange that only John's gospel mentions it, and that it is not mentioned in any other writings of the Apostles either?
Thank you💖