[The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His Life a ransom for many](Matt. 20:28).
He [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 wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.] He [loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end](John 13:4,5,1).
Jesus the Majesty of heaven came to this earth as a servant of man, and served man his lifetime, carrying their burden of sin and eventually was slain on the cross. This was the whole of His life.
[We see Jesus ... crowned with ... honor for the suffering of death... that He might taste death for everyone](Heb. 2:9). [He poured out His soul unto death and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession fo the transgressors](Isa. 53:2).
Christ, the Servant of man said, [Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, that I may take it again](John 10:17). He again said to those who would follow Him, [If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow me](Matt. 16:24). [If anyone comes to Me and does not hate ... his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be my disciple](Luke 14:26,27). [If anyone serve Me, let him follow Me](John 12:26).
[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, happy are you if you do them.] [For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.] [If I then, you Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet (as a servant) you also ought to wash one another's feet] being servants yourselves(John 13:16,7,15,4).
As neither a disciple is greater than his master nor a servant greater than his lord, they are to be content and happy. The Lord served man as if He had been their servant, and if the servant of the lord want to be served by men, how then can the humble Lord gladly accept such arrogant servants? The humble Lord might say, [Cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness](Matt.25:30).
Only those who live the life of Jesus are His disciples, His followers are to follow the very path that He passed before hand. It is only by doing so that they can meet their Master who already passed before them.
Jesus made it plain how we are to live in this world. [And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field,'Come at ones and sit down to eat?' But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, ad afterward you will eat and drink?' Does he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do'](Luke 17:7-10). This is the sort of life we ought to live on earth as Jesus taught us. This was also the life of our Lord God. Although we give our best service for the sake of our neighbors and the whole human race as He did, we are not to expect any acknowledgment or reward. On the contrary, we are to serve man as servants even at the expense of sacrificing our lives, only to say, "We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty." And we must not forget that there is prepared for servants no reward no recompense, however great the works they may have accomplished, but rather only scolding, rebuke, and whipping are due for them.
Even the Majesty of heaven our Lord, when He was on earth, girded Himself, became His disciples' servant and washed their dirty feet, also serving and healing all sorts of miserably sick people whom no one else was willing to approach. He even prepared a table for the hungry multitude in the desert with the help of His disciples. But sadly enough, He only received ridicule abuse reproof, the whip, and death on a cross with which he finished His life, to say nothing of gratitude, honor, and praise. This was His life and the treatment. He received from the world. Now He is speaking to you and me who follow Him today,[If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will also be](John 12:26).
Jesus' followers are to be on strict guard against self-pity. We should never indulge in the feeling that we are not esteemed as we should be, that our efforts are not appreciated. that our work is too difficult. We should let the memory of what Christ has endured for us silence every such murmuring thought. However lightly we may treated, we are treated better than was our Lord.
Sin originated from self-seeking. Self-respect belongs to Satan's kingdom.
From the manger to the cross the life of Jesus was a call to self-surrender and a fellowship in suffering.
The Lord has no place in His work for those who have a greater desire to win the crown than to bear the cross. He wants men who are more intent upon doing their duty rather than upon receiving rewards - men who are more solicitous for principle than for promotion.
Those who are humble and do their work for God may not make as great a show as those who are full of bustle and self-important, but their work counts for more. The work of those who make a great parade, who only call attention to themselves, interposing between the people and God, often fail.
The Christians with the most elevated heart are they who have the power to gain victory as humble followers of Christ; for their humility is the evidence of their communion with the heavenly court. [Though the Lord is on high, yet He regards the lowly](Ps. 138:6). Those who reveal Christ's meekness and humility shall obtain mercy from God. Although they are despised in the world, they are of great value in God's sight.
Neither to the wise, the great, the charitable, nor to the ardent, tireless, and diligent worker is a pass to the heavenly court given. It is solely given to the poor in spirit who long to dwell with Christ, and to do the will of God. These are the ones who will join the ranks of those who have washed their garments and made themselves white through the blood of the Lamb.
The Lord's disciples should not cease to manifest the meekness of Christ who is their holy Example, though they may be brought to the verge of loss, and even death. And by their works, the Lord is glorified and exalted before governors and people. Men of Christ shall say to their neighbor, [He must increase, but I must decrease](John 3:30), and serve all mankind as a servant serves his lord. They shall live in the world having the spirit of Jesus as He spoke,[The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many](Matt. 20:28).
May the glory of Jesus be with His last disciples who are to live His life by following His steps while on this earth! Praise the Lord!
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