When we think about serving, we often think of tasks that do not cost us much, such as giving up time that we already have available or giving financially in a way that will not cost us. The truth is, however, that true service will cost us. For proof of this truth, we only have to look to Jesus. As He served, He gave up His very life in order to rescue humanity from sin. There is no greater act of service than that.
During our Bible study this week, we have seen how Jesus spent His final hours before His arrest and crucifixion serving His disciples. Specifically, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet in John 13. After washing their feet, Jesus taught them, preparing them for what was about to happen. As He taught, He said to them in John 15, “This is my commandment: love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (verses 12-13). Jesus called His disciples to model His example of love. In fact, He was about to show them the greatest love when He laid down His life for them by being crucified on the cross in order to rescue the world from sin and death. Indeed, there is no greater love than this!
Jesus' love was marked by service and sacrifice. He served to the fullest extent by sacrificing His very life to pay the price for the sins of every single person on Earth. He withheld nothing when it came to rescuing humanity, even when that meant giving up His life.
We serve a wonderful, loving, compassionate, and good Savior. He served and loved each one of us to the fullest extent when He laid down His life so that we could experience eternal life with Him forever. May we never get over the extravagant love and service that He has shown us.
Take a few moments to write out a prayer of gratitude to Christ. Thank Him for the way that He served, laying down His very life so that we could have eternal life with Him one day. Ask Him to give you the courage and boldness to serve sacrificially, serving others in a way that costs you something so that you can point them straight to Him.
1“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
