In a world often filled with everyday struggles that feel complex and overwhelming, it’s easy to feel powerless. Every time we see a news headline about a new national crisis or natural disaster, we feel like the problem is too big for one person to fix. Many of us have experienced moments of despair as we grapple with this reality. However, there is a glimmer of hope and a profound invitation if we choose to see it. Sometimes, we just need to remember the transformative power of simple acts. Luke 22:14-30 shows us a model of Christian service given by Christ Himself, and though He was fully God, He didn’t shirk the simplicity of servanthood.
Instead, as Christina Baik said in a message on this topic, “Jesus demonstrated the value of being fully present for others through humble service.” Christina is an English Teacher at DePaul College Prep and has an M.A.R. in Religion & Literature from Yale University. She is a fellow congregant of my church, and I was blessed to sit under her teaching during a recent message you can listen to HERE. The following blog post is based on Christina’s insights on how we can serve one another without overcomplicating it.
The Challenge of Overwhelming News:
In the midst of everyday life, it’s so easy to feel powerless when we face problems beyond our capacity to process and proceed with. It has never rung more true that our world is a broken place, especially as we take in the vast barrage of negative news stories and heartbreaking updates from places ridden with war, disease, and crashing economies.
Jesus’ Model of Presence and Service
In John 13, we encounter an inspiring example of Jesus’ servanthood and humility. In His care for his disciples, Jesus washes their feet, even though this was a chore most frequently delegated to household servants. From the “Last Supper” on, Jesus knew that the events awaiting Him would not be easy. Yet, He still made it a priority to stoop before His friends and take the place of a servant.
Jesus as a Servant Leader
Just imagine the scene:
Jesus got up from the dining table where He and His disciples were declining. He removed his outer garment, humbling Himself before them. He tied a towel around his waist, readying Himself for the task at hand. He poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples’ feet. One by one, He extended tender care to them. As He finished, He assured them that the Holy Spirit would guide them.
Learning from Christ’s Example
Through this act, we can glean principles of servanthood that can still be applied today:
- Be Present: Focus just on the person in front of you and avoid the temptation to get distracted or try to multitask.
- Let Go: Lay aside your status, title, or position of authority. Instead, embrace humility so your relationships can be genuine and not blurred by the restrictions that come with hierarchy.
- Be Prepared: Cultivate a heart of readiness to serve, being always (physically and mentally) eager to care for those around you.
- Keep It Simple: Don’t overthink simple acts of care and love. Sometimes, the small gestures mean the most.
- Be Humble: Jesus’ willingness to do what was considered degrading can challenge your resistance to receive care from others and allow you to be vulnerable.
- Don’t Do It Alone: Through Jesus’ affirmation, you can remind yourself that you never serve alone. The Holy Spirit is with you to guide your efforts and provide for your needs.
Embrace the Power of Simple Acts
Through this simple scene, we are reminded that our selfless Savior served through simple acts. Through the retelling of this sacred moment when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, we can be reminded that we don’t need to be the saviors of the world. By following His example, we can let go of that pressure and simply be present for others through small acts of love and care. The key is to rise from our distractions, lay aside status, be physically and mentally ready to serve, keep our gestures simple, and embrace vulnerability. It is by following in our Savior’s footsteps in these ways that we will make a meaningful impact on the lives of those around us. And through uncomplicated acts of service, we can create a ripple effect that transforms whole communities one little act of love at a time.
Next Steps to Keep Service Simple
Jesus doesn’t call us to fix everything that’s broken. That’s His job.
- Maybe you don’t need to take on all your neighbor’s grief after losing their mother – maybe you just need to drop off one bag of groceries on the doorstep.
- Maybe you don’t need to raise thousands of dollars to provide for the needs of a family who lost everything in a housefire. Maybe you can just bring over an outfit to borrow.
- Maybe you don’t need to figure out the solution to homelessness in your city. Maybe you can just offer a smile as you walk by and ask them their name.
If you feel paralyzed by overwhelm every time you want to serve, chances are you’re overcomplicating it. But the servant leadership of Jesus frees us to keep it simple. It’s empowering to know you don’t have to do it all. So don’t let perfectionism shut down your service or hinder your heart. When we commit to loving our neighbor in little ways, we become true disciples – always ready to extend Christ’s care in ways that feel 100% achievable, even on days when there’s a lot going on. In practice, this leads to more service and more readiness rather than more anxiety. So, as Christina urges us, “Let’s rise from the distractions, lay aside our preconceptions, tie the towel of readiness, and pour out the water of simplicity. In these small yet powerful gestures, we find the essence of Jesus’ message: Love one another as I have loved you.”
