When people think about leaving a legacy, they imagine big accomplishments, lasting impact, or a name remembered for generations. But what if Jesus showed us that the legacy that matters most is found in quiet, humble acts of service?
One of the greatest ways we show love for the church—and for Jesus Himself—is through serving others.
A Lesson Around the Table
In John 13, Jesus and the disciples gathered in the upper room for the Passover meal, the final supper before His arrest and crucifixion. Instead of leaning in to listen to their Teacher, the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest and who would get the best seats in the kingdom.
Meanwhile, something important had been overlooked. No one had washed anyone’s feet. In that day, when most people walked everywhere in sandals or barefoot, foot washing wasn’t just polite; it was essential. The roads were filthy, covered with dust, dirt, and all the mess that came with animals roaming about. To eat at a low table while reclining meant someone’s dirty, smelly feet were right in your face.
Normally, a servant would be stationed at the door to wash feet. But that night, either there was no servant or no one wanted to stoop to the job. So they sat around the table with unwashed feet.
And then Jesus got up. John tells us:
“So he got up from the table, took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist, and poured water into a basin. Then, he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.” (John 13:4-5)
The room must have gone silent. Foot washing was for servants, not for rabbis. It was unthinkable for a leader, especially one called Lord and Teacher, to do this. But when He finished, Jesus asked them,
“Do you understand what I have done for you? … 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 13:12-15)
This was His final teaching moment before the cross. In other words, if His disciples could grasp this, everything else would fall into place.
The Attitude of Christ
The apostle Paul later echoed this truth in Philippians 2:
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant… he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-9)
The word translated attitude refers to our internal guidance system, like a spiritual GPS. When we program our hearts toward Christ’s humility and service, our direction in life shifts. Service becomes our default path.
That shift changes everything. In marriage, it means serving your spouse even when they don’t deserve it. In friendships, it means putting others first. At work, it means moving from competition to humility. The irony of life is that when we serve others, they often respond with love and kindness. But when we attempt to control or dominate, people resist.
Serving with Time
One of the first and most practical ways to live this out is with our time. Everyone has the same 86,400 seconds each day, but how we use them reveals what we truly value. Saying “I don’t have time” often really means “I value something else more.”
Serving with our time means making space for God, for family, for church, and for others. It requires choosing what matters most over what is merely convenient or entertaining.
Serving with Talents
We also serve with our talents. Jesus said in Matthew 7:16, “By their fruit you will recognize them.” In other words, our gifts and abilities become clear by the way we live them out.
Some people serve in visible ways like music, teaching, or leadership. Others serve quietly in the background, making coffee, setting up chairs, or rocking babies in the Kid Village. The church depends on every person using their God-given gifts.
These talents aren’t just for Sundays. They’re meant for every corner of life…our homes, workplaces, and communities. The question isn’t whether we have something to offer, but how we will use what God has entrusted to us for His purposes.
Serving with Treasure
Finally, we serve with our treasure. Jesus said in Matthew 6:19-21,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Money has a way of pulling our hearts along with it. Looking at our bank statements often shows us where our hearts are going. Wealth itself isn’t wrong, but it becomes dangerous when it matters more to us than our relationship with God. Generosity helps loosen money’s grip and realigns our hearts toward God’s kingdom.
Following the Example
At the end of the meal, Jesus reminded His disciples:
“You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. 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 13:12-15)
Jesus, the one with all authority, chose to kneel and serve. He calls us to do the same. Our purpose isn’t found in titles or positions, but in picking up the towel and serving others. That is why we say, I love my church. Because loving the church means loving people, and loving people means serving them the way Jesus first served us.