The last lesson Jesus taught His disciples before His Passion was to show them — and all of us — that He came to serve, not to be served, and that we must do likewise. There is no ambiguity, no mystery, in this lesson:
“Then, when he had finished washing their feet and put on his garments, he sat down again, and said to them, Do you understand what it is I have done to you? You hail me as the Master, and the Lord; and you are right, it is what I am. Why then, if I have washed your feet, I who am the Master and the Lord, you in your turn ought to wash each other’s feet; I have been setting you an example, which will teach you in your turn to do what I have done for you. Believe me, no slave can be greater than his master, no apostle greater than he by whom he was sent. Now that you know this, blessed are you if you perform it.” (John 13:12-17)
Booker T. Washington said, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”
Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
St. Thomas More said, “I die the King’s good servant, and God’s first.”
Anyone who thinks that acting the servant means being weak-willed or cowardly should study the life of St Thomas More. Nowhere will you find a man of stronger will and greater courage.
The fact is, it is harder to serve others than to serve oneself, and harder still to serve God than to serve others.
God gives us everything, and in all fairness asks much of us.
But, oh, the rewards!
Prayer
Thank you, Jesus, for opening the door and showing us the way. Give me the strength to serve You and to serve others for Your Glory.
