True Customer Service

In the world of business, we are taught that the higher one attains in position, the least ‘hands-on’ or menial work they are to do. The manager no longer runs errands or buys the office lunch. They tell someone else to do it. They no longer have to drive around the parking lot, they have a designated spot of their own. They set deadlines, make decisions that affect policy and personnel, write checks, rate work performance, and gain greater respect among their peers.

However, in the midst of the ‘business’ of life, there are some lessons a disciple of Jesus can never forget:

John 13:1-16 – Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

1. Jesus is Master and Lord. Jesus is God manifested in the flesh – the fulness of the Godhead bodily (John 1:1-14; Colossians 2:9). He is the first and last, the Alpha and the Omega. His position is higher than any we could EVER attain.

2. He gave an example. Jesus gave an example for our the disciples were to serve others. Washing another person’s feet was an act of humility, typically enacted by servants. However, our Master and Lord presented an example through His own actions.

3. We are to do as He has done. In the midst of the business world and life in general, many can get caught up in the business environment. When you reach certain positions, you feel a sense of entitlement. You’ve earned your way up the ladder of success, so you don’t have to clean, take out trash, run errands, and such. It’s your time to make someone under you ‘earn’ their way up as well.

Oftentimes we treat those that work and serve under us as if they are good for nothing else other than our ‘light’ work. Is this the example the Lord has set for us to follow? Sure, your position carries more challenging responsibilities, but never forget the example the Lord has placed before you.

4. Find ways to serve those around you…no matter how small the task. There are many ways you can serve those around you. Never be so big that you cannot do the little and simple things. You can still take out the trash, run the mail cart if you have time (to give your subordinate an extra break with his wife), pay for lunch, and help where no one else would.

5. You are not greater than your Lord. Enough said here.

6. Be ‘secure’ in serving others. Believe me, you live as a servant at your job, school, home, and church, sooner or later someone will say something to you or give you strange looks. Some may even confront you about doing menial work that the ‘temp’ workers don’t even do. Without hesitation, you can tell them that you serve because of the example given to you by the Lord. You serve others as He has first served us…and gave His life so that we could live. May my life bring glory to His and the Father.

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