Following in Christ’s Footsteps: Serving Others as He Did

Published by leahfaith on March 23, 2023

What Christ Did

Serving is an essential aspect of the Christian faith, and is a concept that is deeply rooted in the Bible. We are called to serve in love and with humility to everyone in our lives. The Bible is filled with examples of individuals who dedicated their lives to serving God by serving others, and provides a blueprint for us to follow in our own lives. The most important example is that of Christ, who, in service to us, suffered and died on the cross for our salvation. He took on a humble spirit, stepping down from his place with the Father, to become human. Matthew writes “just as 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). Christ lived his life serving those around him through miracles and healing and then put himself in a position where his father turned away from him by taking on all shame and sin that was our burden to bear. In Jesus’ great act of service, he took on our burden as his own and destroyed it, since we could never do it ourselves.

Just as 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

How We Show Love

Furthermore, serving is important because it is an enactment of our love for God. We love not just with words “but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). In Galatians, Paul says, “you, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:13-14). When we serve others, we express our love for God by following His commandments and living out His teachings. This is the greatest commandment as Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:36-40. The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God, and to do that you must also love your neighbor as yourself. We do not serve with a grumbling spirit, but in love. We do so joyfully, in our freedom that is graciously and mercifully given to us from God. 

We Represent Christ

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). By serving others in love, we are a reflection of God and His love and can share that love with others. When we serve others, we are not only meeting their physical needs, but also their spiritual needs. We are demonstrating the love of Christ that invites others to draw closer to Him. Jesus revealed his great love to us through his service, so we must also do the same.

Personal Growth

In addition, serving others is a way for us to grow in our faith and become more like Christ. In the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4). When we serve others, we are practicing humility and putting their needs before our own. This is a fundamental aspect of the Christian faith, and it is a crucial part of our spiritual growth.

Moreover, serving others is a way for us to use our talents and abilities to glorify God. In the book of Romans, Paul writes, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach” (Romans 12:6-7). God has given each of us unique gifts and abilities, and when we use them to serve others, we are glorifying Him and fulfilling His purpose for our lives.

My Story

A couple weeks ago, I went on a mission trip to Lakeland, Florida for my Spring Break. Everyday was a chance to serve the Lord by serving others. Some of the work was relatively easy and some of it was very hard for me. Some of the things I found difficult, other people in my group found to be fun and easy. I learned the different ways that God has equipped me to best serve others; what talents I had been gifted that helped me serve those around me. In our time there, I saw how my group was able to take burdens off the shoulders of the staff that do that very same work day after day, week after week. And in that, I was severely humbled in seeing that I do not give as sacrificially as I should in all things, but specifically with my time. 

I was able to see these reasons to serve most evidently when I saw my own lack of servitude. Those we served with always brought the focus back to what Jesus had done for us. I saw how our actions were relieving some stress from those who were always there. And I was able to see where my talents are most useful as well, as those around me, and how we were able to to work together, in true church fashion, to love others in serving them.

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