Growing together isn’t just about serving others…

We know God wants us to serve others, but what about being served? Peter faced this challenge when Jesus was trying to wash his feet in John 13. He did not consider himself worthy of Jesus’ service.

John 13:6-9 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Whether we don’t want to burden others or are just self-sufficient types, most of us struggle with letting others serve us.

Instead of trying to address why we struggle with accepting help, let me share with you some reasons why you should let people serve you, why it’s actually good for you and for others when you humbly accept someone else’s service. 

First, you should let others serve you because it is commanded of them.

How would we fulfill God’s command to serve one another if no one let anyone serve? If we all decided we were independent, in no need of others, we would hinder others from obeying Jesus’ commands and rob them of the blessings of obedience. Certainly some people serve not out of a desire to obey, but to simply look good before men. But our job is not to judge others’ motives as to why they are serving. Can we think the best of folks and let them serve? 

Second, letting others serve us reminds us that we are dependent upon others.

You are dependent on others. That’s how you were made. That’s God’s design for you—to live in community and not seek to go it alone. You cannot be the most mature, most God-honoring self without the help of others.

We need each other’s service. What does Paul tell the Ephesian church in Ephesians 4:16?

“…the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”

When I let someone use their gifts to edify me, I can remind myself of my dependence on and need for that brother or sister, and hopefully I can encourage them in the use of their gifts at the same time.

The next time you’re tempted to say, “You don’t need to do that,” why not check that impulse and allow someone to serve you. And then simply say, “Thank you.”

Third, letting others serve you allows them to exercise their gifts and become better at it.

If you were told that you were supposed to be a world-class athlete but then no one would let you practice, how frustrating would that be? You would have a hard time fulfilling your purpose, would’t you?

You and I are suppose to grow into world-class servers. Therefore we really ought to let one another practice. Exercising our gifts is good for all of us. 

John 13:14-17 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. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.