THE WAY OF THE CROSS

Part 2: The Way of the Servant

March 15, 2026

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Luke 22:24 (NIV) A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest.

 

John 13:1–11 (NIV) 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. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 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. 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!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

 

• Greatness means .

 

Mark 10:43–45 (NIV) Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.

• Some things are .

 

Philippians 2:5–7 (NIV) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.

• Some people .

 

John 13:2 (NIV) The devil had already prompted Judas…to betray Jesus.

 

Matthew 5:44 (NIV) Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

• Serving is a .

 

Matthew 23:11–12 (NIV) The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

 

 

 

John 13:12–18 (NIV) When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 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.

 

Jesus didn’t just come to . He came to show us .

 

 

1. Put ahead of your .

 

Philippians 2:3–4 (NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

2. the to serve.

 

John 13:3 (NIV) Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power…he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet.

 

1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession…

3. instead of waiting to .

 

Galatians 5:13 (NIV) You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Acts of Kindness Easter Cards

20 Acts of Kindness Ideas

1. Pay for the person behind youin a drive-through line.
2. Buy someone’s coffeeat a coffee shop.
3. Leave an extra-large tipfor a server and include the card.
4. Pay for someone’s gasat a gas station.
5. Give a grocery gift cardto someone in the checkout line.
6. Bring donuts or snacksto a local police or fire station.
7. Deliver cookies or treatsto your neighbors.
8. Write an encouraging noteto someone going through a hard time.
9. Help someone carry groceriesto their car.
10. Buy lunch for a construction crewyou see working nearby.
11. Leave quarters or pay for someone’s laundryat a laundromat.
12. Give a small gift cardto a teacher or school staff member.
13. Buy flowers and give themto someone who looks like they need encouragement.
14. Pay for a family’s ice creamat a shop.
15. Bring coffee or drinksto nurses or hospital workers.
16. Give snacks or drinksto delivery drivers or mail carriers.
17. Leave a gift card on a gas pumpwith the card
18. Buy someone’s movie ticketor treat at a theater.
19. Pay for a car washfor the person behind you.
20. Give a child a small toy or treatat a store with the kindness card.

 

4. Serve from , not or .

 

Colossians 3:23–24 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.

 

Psalm 51:7 (NLT) Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

 

1 John 1:9 (NIV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.