#1483. Jesus’ Last Words - On Service (30/3/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. As we approach Easter, we are reflecting on some of Jesus’ final words from the Last Supper and the Upper Room Discourse in John’s Gospel. 

Life can often feel empty. The pursuit of distractions and pleasure never truly satisfies. Real meaning is found when we discover God’s purpose for us. We must first allow Jesus to serve us—and then learn to live a life of serving others.

As Jesus washes His disciples’ feet in John 13:1–16, we learn both what it means to be served by Jesus and to serve like Him.

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

1. Jesus wants to serve us and cleanse us

On the Thursday of Easter week, during the Last Supper (John 13:1–17:26), Jesus did something extraordinary. The One who is Lord and King took the place of a servant and washed His disciples’ feet.

This was so shocking that Peter refused to let Jesus serve him. He assumed that honouring Jesus meant refusing such service.

We understand this instinct. When someone important comes to us, we rush to serve them - “No, let me do that!” we say, eager to remove any inconvenience.

But the first call of the Christian life is not to serve Jesus - it is to let Jesus serve us.

We must allow Him to wash us. The washing of the disciples’ feet is a powerful picture of what the cross would accomplish: through His death, Jesus cleanses us from all sin.

Those who refuse His washing “have no part with” Him. Salvation begins with humility - the willingness to receive what only Jesus can do for us through His death and resurrection.

2. Jesus wants us to serve one another

Having received His service, we are then called to imitate His example.

Easter - and Jesus’ final words - teach us that humble, sacrificial service is essential to the Christian life.

Jesus says:

We are not just called to admire Jesus’ humility, but to embody it.

Response

To do as Jesus has done for us is a high calling. While He points to the washing of feet, He ultimately directs us to the cross—the greatest act of sacrificial service.

If we refuse to let Jesus serve us, we miss everything. We miss salvation itself. True faith begins with the humility to receive before we act.

Those who truly grasp how Jesus has served them gain a new perspective on serving others. Love and service flow not from duty alone, but from a heart that continually remembers His grace.

To love and serve others well, we must never stop celebrating that He first knelt down to wash us—though we were utterly undeserving.

Community Group Notes

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.

2. Icebreaker

Something that builds relationships and confidence to share; it’s good to regularly use this moment to ask the group: How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we began a short Easter Series - Jesus' Last Words - which is based upon The Upper Room Discourse and Last Supper in John’s Gospel ( (John 13:1–17:26). 

Please read John 13:1-13 and discuss:

• Personal reflection – From Sunday’s message and this passage, what stood out to you? Was there anything the Spirit particularly impressed on your heart?

• Let Jesus serve us – What does this text teach about how Jesus desires to serve us?

• Let’s serve one another – In what ways are we called to model our service on Jesus’ example?

• Roles and relationships – What roles and relationships has God placed you in, and how can you practically serve like Christ within them?

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• Modelling Jesus’ service -  From our text, how does letting Jesus serve us and then serving in His likeness bring Him glory and build bridges to share our faith? 

• Easter services - is there anyone that you intend to invite to our Easter services? 

• Sharing Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing stories of how we’ve seen God at work through simple faithfulness.

• Practical Next Steps – Who might God be placing on your heart at this time? Are there any “people of peace” (see note) in your life—those who seem open, welcoming, or receptive to spiritual conversation?

Let’s Pray Together

Let’s pray for one another in light of what we’ve studied and bring any other needs before God.

• Pray for our upcoming Easter Services. 

• Pray for courage, wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our Serve, Invest, and Invite opportunities.

• Pray specifically for the ‘people of peace’ in our lives - that God would open hearts and deepen relationships.

• General prayer: From our study, or from personal needs, how do people want prayer?