How to Serve Others Like Jesus

When I was a young Christian and first got involved in the church, I didn’t really understand what it meant to be a servant of Christ. 

It was through the life of my pastor that I learned this. I saw him serving impoverished people on the streets, widows in the nursing homes, and also those closest to him. He demonstrated how to serve others like Jesus.

He was always willing to do it, no matter the task, following the example of Christ. 

Jesus showed us how to serve others through how he washed the disciples’ feet. You too can learn how to be a servant from studying his actions.

Jesus Washing Feet

John 13:1-17, which is a part of “the Farewell discourses,” details the story of how Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. This event takes place before he died on the cross; the night prior to it, where he was with his disciples in an “intimate gathering.” 

Jesus deeply loved all, including his own disciples, and it was seen through his whole ministry. He loved well until the end of his existence. May we aim to do the same through how we serve others. 

“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.” (John 13:1, ESV) 

The enemy had spurred Judas to betray Jesus, but Jesus already knew what he was to do: the will of the Father. 

“During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God…” (John 13:2-3, ESV) 

We then read how Jesus serves his disciples in the loving manner of washing their feet. 

“… rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” (John 13:4-5, ESV) 

This shows you who Jesus is: all loving, a servant. It shows you what his love is like. 

He was one on one with his disciples. He, personally, individually, sat with each of his disciples out of deep love for them. 

Jesus was doing something slaves would do in this time period. It was a lowly job—a menial act of service—yet he did it. 

It was so countercultural for him to do this, as it was not something done by someone in his position. We should not be above any task, as Jesus showed us he was not. 

It was an act of self humiliation, as dying on the cross was also to cleanse the world from their sins. We share in his humiliation as we do tasks no one wants to, or those seen by the world as below them.

He was doing a humble act; one that was selfless. Jesus was showing us how to love others and serve others in the body of Christ. This is also how you should serve others: by following this example.

Why Did Jesus Wash the Disciples’ Feet?

John 13:12-17 shows us the importance of why Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. 

“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’” (John 13:12-17, ESV) 

Jesus did this to show us that we should do the same. We should serve others as he did, in the same manner: following his example. 

He was humble, and we should act humbly also. He was loving, and we should love. 

As we serve in this way, we are participating in the life he lived. Living like he did includes suffering, and humiliation, but there is no better way to live than to live as Jesus did. 

We serve each other one-on-one in the church, and they do the same for us. Service should be reciprocated. 

This act of Jesus washing the disciples feet makes it clear who he is: God. 

We are to live out the teachings of Christ always; serving others as he did in all the ways from the Bible. It is a way to welcome others into his love. 

He was God, and he did this. You also should help those “least” to you in a humble manner, as Jesus did, when they are in need. The people in your life, the church, the poor, the widows, etc. 

You will be blessed by actually doing it. 

Ways to Serve Like Jesus

If you want to be a servant of Christ, which shows you have a relationship with him, you will follow the principles Jesus demonstrated in washing the disciples’ feet. 

Service to others may actually include washing others’ feet, but it is not limited to this action; this is not something people commonly do today. 

Nonetheless, these principles are to be applied in all times and all ways that you serve others. Below, you can find ways to do that.

1. One-on-One Service

Serve others by being present with them, one-on-one with them. 

Don’t be distracted on your phone or with other matters. Be present, giving them individual attention as Jesus did. 

He individually washed their feet—even Judas’s. Love your enemies and serve them too. 

2. Be Humble

Serve others with an attitude and mindset of humility. 

Don’t think you are above any act of service for another or in the church. Be selfless. 

Clean the toilets, if the church needs help in that manner; help a friend in cleaning their apartment. 

Rejoice that you get to share in his humiliation. 

3. Serve Out of Love

Jesus did the footwashing out of love. You should serve others out of love. 

This should be your heart: love for God, and serving others out of this heart. 

4. Serve in Any Way Needed

Jesus didn’t consider himself above performing the menial labor of washing another’s feet and neither should you. 

Don’t think you are above doing any task to serve another. 

Serve people you come into contact with, or know in the church, in whatever ways they need. 

Jesus shows us how to serve others. This example is found in Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. 

This action of footwashing by Jesus shows us we should serve others one on one, being humble, out of love… and we should feel no type of service is below us. 

If you do this, you will be blessed. Serve others, and those in your church, when an opportunity comes up. 

Ford, David F, and Lee Jagow. The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary. Unabridged. BibleTalk Books, 2021.

Harris, Murray J. John. Edited by Andreas J. Kostenberger and Robert W. Yarbrough. B&H Academic, 2015.

Kruse, Colin G. John: An Introduction and Commentary. Revised edition. IVP Academic, 2018.