The Servant on the Cross

“And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, 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. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” John 13:2-27

I hope it was not lost on you that John makes a point of letting us know that Judas was at the Last Supper. I don’t think this was by chance. I also don’t believe it was John’s intention to point out Judas’s act of betrayal. I believe the disciples were heartbroken over his betrayal. They had served, traveled, and struggled together. How could one of their own do something so horrible to their beloved Master? It was to remind us that Jesus washed Judas’s feet regardless. Jesus knew the condition of his heart and yet He still humbled himself and washed his feet. I must ask myself, “How far am I willing to go to be a servant?” “Where will I allow humility to take me?” “Am I willing to humble myself before my enemies?” “Would I wash the feet of those that wish to betray me?”

But that is the expectation. The greatest example of serving others was found on the cross. Mark 10:45 tells us “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Christ gave His life willingly for us, even though we were enemies of God. If we identify with Him in His glory, we must also identify with Him at the cross. Does your life reflect the beauty of the servant on the cross? Let us live in such a way that the world sees the cross.

Pastor Amber Clendenin