At Your Service – Week 2 (5-4-25)
At Your Service Title
Cross-Shaped Servants
May 4, 2025
John 13:2-14
The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am.
The King of all Creation — on His knees — washing feet
John 13:14-15
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
“avad” —> work, service, and worship
Romans 12:1
“Offer your bodies as living sacrifices… this is your spiritual act of worship.”
“Cruciformity”—a cross-shaped life
Cross shapes every movement, motive
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Serving Is Our Identity
Mark 10:45
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”
“Bondservant”
Exodus 21:6
“But if the servant declares, ‘I love my master and my wife and children and do not want to go free,’ 6 then his master must take him before the judges. He shall take him to the door or the doorpost and pierce his ear with an awl. Then he will be his servant for life.
‘eved —Servant or Slave – Chose to stay
Every act offered in love becomes holy in His hands.
Jesus gets lower than the law required.
John 13:14
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.”
The heart of Christ beats in the hands of His Bride.