Anita glanced at the bags of unopened food in the cafeteria, and then at the only other volunteer available to help me host a breakfast event for eighty people. Time was short. Sensing our need, she smiled as she offered her assistance.

As we mixed batter and flipped pancakes, I learned Anita was providing in-home care for her mother who had dementia. She also said she’d hired a caretaker that morning so she could have some free time, but had gladly given it up to help with the event.

Anita’s selflessness reflected Jesus’ attitude as He served others. In one memorable example, He set aside His own concerns to wash the disciples’ feet during the Last Supper. Jesus knew He would soon face intense physical, mental, and emotional distress. Despite this burden, He considered what His followers needed most and taught them an important lesson.

As Jesus prepared to wash their feet, He shed His right to be served as easily as He took off His outer garment (John 13:4). He was the most important person present—the wise rabbi, divinity in human flesh. Yet Jesus gave up His rights, as He knelt to rub dirt from callouses, to rinse dust from aching arches. Then He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (v. 14).

Christ was showing us that servanthood—in big or small things—is most meaningful when we leave our “selves” behind to lift others up. By God’s power, may we serve others and point them to Jesus. He’s the One who “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

Jennifer Benson Schuldt, Our Daily Bread author

Our Daily Bread Ministries in Indonesia is supported by the freewill offering of individuals in Indonesia, who through their gifts enable us to continue to bring the life-changing wisdom of the Bible to many here. We are not funded by any church or organisation.

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