Gospel Principles
Unit 7: Perfecting Our Lives
Chapter 28: Service
Concept 6: Christ Is the Perfect Example of Service
"The Savior provided the perfect example of service. He explained that he didn't come to earth to be served but to serve and to give his live for us. (Matthew 20:28 "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.")
Jesus loves all of us more than we can understand. When he was on earth he served the poor, the ignorant, the sinner, the despised. He taught the gospel to all who would listen, fed crowds of hungry people who came to hear him, healed the sick, and raised the dead.
He is our God and Savior and Lord of the universe, yet he did many humble acts of service. Just before his crucifixion he met with his disciples. After teaching them, he took a basin of water and a towel and washed their feet (John 13:4-10 "4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 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.
6 Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
8 Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.
9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 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."). In those days washing a visitor's feet was a sign of honor and was usually done by a servant. Jesus did it as an example of love and service. When we willingly serve others in the spirit of love, we become more like Christ.
Discussion
Read these Scriptures reference and think of the Savior's example of service:
John 13:4-10 (washing of feet) {see above}
Matthew 15:30-31 (healing)
30 And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus feet; and he healed them:
31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
Matthew 15:32-38 (feeding the 4,000)
32 ¶ Then Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.
33 And his disciples say unto him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude?
34 And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes.
35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
37 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.
38 And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
Additional Scriptures
mosiah/2">Mosiah 2 (King Benjamin's discourse on service)
King Benjamin addresses his people He recounts the equity, fairness, and spirituality of his reign He counsels them to serve their heavenly King Those who rebel against God shall suffer anguish like unquenchable fire. About 124 B.C.
dc/81/5#5">D&C 81:5 (succor, lift, strengthen)
5 Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.
Colossians 3:23-24 (serve others as you would serve the Lord)
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall creceive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Galatians 5:13 (serve one another by love)
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.