42 Jesus called them over and said to them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles dominate them, and their men of high positions exercise power over them. 43 But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant {diákonos}, 44 and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” Mark 10; 42 -45

 4 So He got up from supper, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself. 5 Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him.  10 “One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him. This is why He said, “You are not all clean.” 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

John 13; 4-5, 10- 11, 14   

Have you ever heard anyone uttered these words, I want to be my own boss. One of the main responsibilities of owning a business is serving your client, if you want to be successful in business serving the client is smart way operating business. Several weeks ago I heard a talk concerning about John 13 verse three and four  that utterly confuse me because I saw two themes in John 13. One a servant leader, Secondly dealing with the disciple’s sin.

The Greek word for servant is diákonos means; a servant, minister; for example; a waiter, a servant that performs any service, or an administrator. The English is a deacon meaning one serving tables.    

 Prior Jesus washing his disciple’s feet there was a dispute among the disciples about who was the greatest in the kingdom. To illustrate His point Jesus took a towel and a Basin full of water, and wash the disciple’s feet. Only a lowly servant does this task since it was a  meaningless. No master nor a Rabbi or Pharisee would consider doing this task; in fact, it was beneath their dignity  to perform such as a task.

Jesus who was their teacher and Master, and washed the disciple’s feet. He instructed his disciples to wash other peoples feet. Jesus radially changed the culture in that time frame. In short, Jesus instructed His disciple to be servant leader.   

All the Epistle that were written in the New Testament started with this phrase; “a servant or bondservant of Christ.” The Greek word is doulos meaning slave or male slave; Biblically it is commonly translated as bond-servant or servant, but literally the word meant slave in various nuances. For example second  epistle written by the Apostle Peter he wrote this phrase;  a slave and an apostle of Jesus Christ.It was I way of life with the church in infant stages. T he early Christians were fully committed in following Christ. They willing forsake their trade and follow Christ. 

 The Apostle Paul wrote these words,” Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave Doulos, I have made myself a slave  {doulos}  to everyone, in order to win more people. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. To those who are without that law, like one without the law—not being without God’s law but within Christ’s law—to win those without the law. To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. Now, I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits.

 

 

One greatest thing Jesus did that He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man in His external form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross.  Philippians 2:5-8  Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for mankind sake by taking our place.  

Jesus state these words to Apostle Peter, “One who has bathed,” Jesus told him, “doesn’t need to wash anything except his feet, but he is completely clean. Indicating the apostle already was fully cleansed by Christ, and only his feet need to be washed. Believer Bible Commentary wrote these words,  “the bath and the Basin. Believer Bible Commentary wrote these words,  “The bath and the Basin.  he bath speaks of the cleansing received at the time of one’s salvation. Cleansing from the penalty of sin through the blood of Christ takes place only once.”  The Basin speaks of cleansing from the pollution of sin and must take place continually through the Word of God. There is one bath but many foot-washings.” KJV Commentary, “A person who is washed (i.e., saved, Tit 3:5) does not need another bath. However, many times his feet may get dirty from the world, and he needs his feet washed (1 Jn 1:7–9).

Once we confess, repent, and believe in Jesus atoning work on the cross, we are declared righteous before Jesus Father and cleansed us from all in unrighteousness. However, every day we continue to sin, than we only need to our wash our feet. Being a servant was means of employing the gospel to the losts.

Let us consider the Old Testament for instant, Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant {ebed Hebrew for,  to work, serve, or bond servant or manservant}  Job? Job 1; 8 or Go and tell my servant {ebed} David, 1 Chronicles 17; 14  Abraham said to his servant {ebed}, the elder of his household who managed all he owned found, in Genesis 24; 2 ebed is uses 1,588 times in the Old Testament. If someone say, you have servant heart consider that badge honour. As scripture declares, “For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.”  

http://peopleoffaith.com/a-servants-heart.htm

http://www.learnthebible.org/a-servants-heart-humility.html

http://www.heprayed.com/PracticalDevotions/119

http://www.openbible.info/topics/servants_heart

1 Peter 5 ; 3- 4 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

Nelson Illustrate Bible Commentary wrote Thus Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet not only is a model of service, but it represents the ultimate in service—forgiveness of sins.