April 6 | Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 4–6; Luke 9:1–17

The Challenge to Serve

The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. Matthew 20:28

READ John 13:3–15

Although just thirteen years old, DeAvion took up a challenge to serve others. He and his mum had heard a story about a man who called on kids to mow fifty lawns for free during their summer holidays. Their focus was to assist the elderly, single mums, people with disabilities—or anyone who just needed help. The founder created the challenge to teach the importance of work ethic and giving back to the community. Despite the heat and the availability of other activities a teenager could pursue in the summer, DeAvion chose to serve others and completed the challenge.

The challenge to serve comes to believers in Jesus as well. The evening before He would die for all people, Jesus ate dinner with His friends (John 13:1–2). He was well aware of the suffering and death He would soon encounter, yet He got up from the meal, wrapped a towel around Himself and began to wash His disciples’ feet (vv. 3–5). “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet,” He said (v. 14).

Jesus, the humble Servant and our example, cared for people: He healed the blind and sick, taught the good news of His kingdom and gave His life for His friends. Because Christ loves you, ask Him who He wants you to serve this week.

By Anne Cetas

What about God’s love and compassion means the most to you? How can you use your gifts and talents to serve others this week?

Dear God, show me how to love others with the same love You have for me.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

In biblical times, foot-washing was a task reserved for the most menial servant. For a superior to wash the feet of an inferior was virtually unheard of (John 13:6–8, 13–16).

But John begins his thirteenth chapter by saying Jesus loved His own—even to the end. Christ adopted the role of the servant to wash the very feet that would abandon Him just a few hours later (Mark 14:50). To love like Jesus means humbly serving even those who fail us. It is, after all, how He loves us.