John 13:1-5
Jesus Washes His Disciples Feet
1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
Mark 10:35-45
The Request of James and John
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John.42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Luke 22:24-30
Jesus on Serving Others
24 A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials. 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Matthew 28:18
All Authority Has Been Given to Jesus
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
Servants and slaves were two of the lowest classes that we had in society at the time Jesus, walked the earth…Jesus makes a point to teach us that when we follow Him we are to follow His examples and His teachings, about these classes…He showed us an example of this when He washed His disciples feet…He also taught this to His disciples when the brothers John and James wanted to sit at His right hand when He finally entered His kingdom…He had to teach this more than once, because on earth we want to be popular, we want some fame, we want a little greatness...Being a disciple of His meant understanding serving and wanting to be with and help those in the lowest of positions...Following Him meant following His example and being a servant and willingly helping and serving the least of His brothers and sisters...
Jesus teaches us if we are to be like Him, we serve...When James and John ask to sit at His right and His left in His glory, they were thinking about greatness...But Jesus told them, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them...Not so with you...Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all...For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”...Jesus continued teaching this right up to His Last Supper when again a dispute broke out as to which of them was considered to be the greatest...And He told them that the greater is the one at the table who serves...
It is or was never about status or fame or even authority with Jesus...And there is irony in this because Jesus had all the authority from heaven...Yet, He never took advantage over anyone with His authority...He used His authority to help and the heal and to serve others...One with so much authority allowed all of us, including His opposition to keep their free will and exercise their feelings, thoughts, and beliefs against Him...While our concept of authority and status is different that His...I think the definition of authority and status to Jesus is to lead by example in helping others, who need help...