How to serve others like Jesus

When you think of a leader, do you imagine yourself in that role?

We all have spheres of influence. This means that each of us is called to be a leader in one way or another. And if we recognize Jesus as our Lord, then we are called to follow His example of leadership, wherever we are and whatever we do.

When Jesus washed his disciples' feet, he showed them not only that they needed to be spiritually cleansed, but also what he expected of them as leaders. To be a leader in the image of Jesus, his disciples would have to demonstrate humility by serving others sacrificially.
"For in the same way the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:28

For the people of first-century Israel, washing someone's feet was typically a servant's task. It was a radical act to wash the feet of one's disciples and then command them to do the same. For this placed each disciple in the position of a servant.

However, to be great in the eyes of Jesus is to serve others sacrificially. And to do that, you have to be willing to see others as better than you.

It's not a question of seeing yourself as inferior, but rather of having a fair vision of yourself, so fair that you don't see yourself as greater (or lesser) than what you really are.

In this way, you see yourself as Jesus sees you: as someone worthy of service and equally worthy of doing the same for others.

Jesus' gesture is also a gesture of love. Indeed, out of love for his disciples, he washed their feet. And it was also out of love that he willingly sacrificed himself on the cross for us. By his attitude, Jesus demonstrated that to become a great leader, you have to learn to serve others with humility.

Finally, if we want to be leaders like Jesus, we must also be like him.

So, right now, ask Christ to shape the way you see yourself, as well as the way you see the people he's brought into your life. Then, let Him touch you by allowing Him to show you how you can serve your neighbor in love and trust, starting today.

Pasteur Clémentine