Servant Leadership

Jesus spends the week teaching at the temple during the day and in prayer—communicating with his Father each evening on the Mount of Olives (Luke 21:37). What he teaches this week is incredibly significant. These teachings are a study in themselves—full of leadership lessons and powerful truths.

As the week draws to a close, Jesus knows his time is short, so he has a few of his disciples make preparations for the Passover meal in town. He has been anticipating this particular evening. He says,

“‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfilment in the kingdom of God’” (Luke 22:15-16).

What will happen on this final Passover night? Let’s take a look.

Questions from your reading

• What does this passage (John 13:1-38) tell us that Jesus knew?
• What is Jesus modelling for us about leadership?
• Did the disciples understand what Jesus was doing? How were they interpreting it?
• What other questions do you still have?

Reflecting on your reading

There is so much Jesus models here about leadership. It’s a long evening of final instructions, encouragement, vision, and expressions of love. John writes that Jesus “now showed them the full extent of his love” (John 13:1).

One of the clearest expressions of that love follows: Jesus rises from the table, sets aside his outer garments, takes a towel, and wraps it around himself. He takes the role of a servant and begins to wash the feet of his disciples. They must have been stunned—perhaps even a little embarrassed. None of them had offered to do this customary act of hospitality. In Jesus’ day, a servant would normally wash the dirt of the city streets off a guest’s feet upon entering the home.

But here, Jesus takes the servant’s role himself and then says,

“‘Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you’” (John 13:14-15).

Jesus leads the way for teachers to serve students, and for leaders to serve those they lead. He couldn't be clearer—wash one another’s feet. Humble yourselves. Serve one another. But it’s not easy. It’s far simpler to direct than to stoop.

Servant leadership is often seen as weakness. Some fear they’ll lose respect if they kneel and serve. And it’s true—some will resist, just like Peter did: “‘...you shall never wash my feet’” (John 13:8). For some, watching others humble themselves is too confronting—it highlights what they themselves are unwilling to do.

But we don’t serve because it’s trendy or popular. We serve because that’s the model Jesus left us. For the true disciple of Jesus, there is only one standard—and that is Jesus himself. That’s why we call ourselves Christians. Not merely miniature versions of Christ, but people in whom Christ lives and through whom he acts.

After washing their feet and calling them to follow his example, Jesus returns to the table for the Passover meal. Why the “last” supper? Because the very next day, the Lamb of God would offer himself up—our once-for-all sacrifice (see Hebrews 10:1-10).

As Jesus takes his place at the table, his heart grows heavy. He tells his disciples that one of them will betray him. The plot is already in motion—Judas has become disillusioned. He’s already conspired with the religious leaders.

Curiously, no one seems to suspect him when he gets up and leaves. Perhaps he was the least likely in their minds. After all, he held the money bag—surely a sign of trust. John even writes,

“Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor” (John 13:29).

But then we read something chilling: “As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him” (John 13:27). That means Satan was there—at the table. He’d seen the foot washing, and perhaps scoffed at it. In his mind, Jesus’ leadership must have looked ridiculous.

Once Judas departs, the remaining disciples resume an old argument—who among them is the greatest. Once again, Jesus speaks plainly. His words in Luke 22:25-27 are unforgettable. A true leader is not one who commands, but one who serves.

Applying what you’ve read

To see how Peter absorbed this lesson on servant leadership, take a look at 1 Peter 5:1-9.

On this same night, Jesus gives his disciples a new commandment—one he has lived out in front of them for over three years:

“‘A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another’” (John 13:34).

He himself is the model of love.

He adds, “‘By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’” (John 13:35). That’s powerful. The unmistakable mark of a true disciple is love.

As Paul later writes,

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Love is the defining mark of a true Christ-follower—love for God and love for others. Is that what defines your life? Spend some time in reflection. Ask God to fill you with his love.

Talk with your disciples about servant leadership, Jesus-style. What does that look like today? How do you practically wash others’ feet in your culture?