Day 3: The Resume That Didn’t Stop Him

Main Idea

Pay close attention to what the Holy Spirit put in this text, because the order matters.

Before John tells you that Jesus washed feet, he tells you three things about Jesus’ resume. One: the Father had given him authority over everything. Two: he had come from God. Three: he would return to God. Past, present, and future — completely covered. Jesus had the most impressive credentials in the history of the universe. And the very next word is “so.”

Not “but.” Not “despite that.” “So.” As in: because he knew all of this, he got up and washed their feet. His resume didn’t disqualify him from serving. It qualified him. His authority didn’t make him too important to stoop. It freed him to stoop. Because he was completely secure in who he was, he had nothing to prove — and that made him free to serve.

Now think about the excuses we make. “I’m too busy.” “That’s not really my thing.” “Someone else can do it.” But underneath those excuses, if we’re honest, the real reason is usually this: “That’s beneath me.” We don’t say it out loud. But we think it. We look at certain needs and certain tasks and certain people and we quietly decide that our time, our talent, or our status makes us overqualified for that kind of work.

Jesus had all authority. He had come from God. He was returning to God. And he washed feet — including the feet of Judas, the man who had already agreed to betray him. If that resume didn’t disqualify Jesus from the lowest job in the house, nothing on your resume disqualifies you either.

Here’s what Jesus understood that we often miss: serving isn’t what you do when you have nothing better to do. Serving is what you do when you finally understand who you are. The most secure person in the room will always be the first one to pick up the towel.

What Else the Bible Says About This

• Philippians 2:5–7 — You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges.

• Matthew 20:28 — For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

• 1 Peter 4:10 — God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

• Luke 12:48 — When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.

Let’s Apply This…

Think about something you’ve quietly considered beneath you. Maybe it’s helping clean up after an event. Maybe it’s working with little kids. Maybe it’s spending time with someone who can’t do anything for you in return. Whatever it is, do it this week. Not grudgingly. Not so people see you doing it. But because Jesus — the one with all authority — picked up a towel. And you’re following him.

God’s Message to You

“I didn’t give you your gifts so you could sit above everyone else. I gave you your gifts so you could serve. The smarter you are, the more you can teach. The stronger you are, the more you can carry. The more influence you have, the more people you can lift. Nothing I’ve given you was meant to be hoarded. It was all meant to be poured out. My Son had more authority than you will ever have, and he used it to wash dirty feet. What are you using yours for?”

(Based on John 13:3–5; Philippians 2:5–7; Luke 12:48)