Jesus had just washed His disciples’ feet (John 13:3-11).  But they did not really understand.  So He explained that, although He was their Teacher and Master, it was not wrong for Him to serve them.  Indeed, it was essential.  They needed to understand that Jesus was also a Servant.  Isaiah prophesied that God’s Servant would fulfil God’s plan (Isaiah 42:1-7).  The disciples were to follow His example and be servants to each other (Matthew 20:26-28).
 
Of course, it is not possible for anybody, except Jesus, to wash away sin; but we can certainly announce the gospel, explain it, and persuade others to believe it.  That is one of the finest ways of serving people’s deepest need and for believers to help each other to stay clean before God.  Gentle encouragement to stay humble, to repent and stay in close relationship with God should be a normal part of our fellowship with each other.  Such spiritual serving is set against the background of practical serving which soon became normal after Pentecost (Acts 2:44-45).

Although we might think we can do whatever we want by ourselves, it is not true.  We cannot.  We are dependent beings from birth to death (Job 1:21).  Despite all of our energy, ideas and activity, there are many things which only God can do for us; and we must let Him minister to us (Isaiah 26:12).  That is why Jesus came: so that our sins could be taken away and we could be filled with the Holy Spirit and welcomed into God’s presence.  Day by day the Lord is our Shepherd who gently sustains, protects and guides us (Psalm 23:1-6; John 10:14-15), because He is the Way (John 14:6).  He knows the path ahead and we do not (Job 28:23).

And there are many ways in which we can serve the Lord by serving other people.  Practically, we can meet physical needs.  We can spend time helping people through difficulty.  Spiritual help will include listening and sharing testimony, reflecting on Bible truth to help people grow strong spiritually.  But like Peter, who resisted the idea that Jesus should be involved with his dirty feet (John 13:8), we often find it difficult to let a Christian brother or sister help us when everything is not good in our lives.  Because we may be sensitive about letting others help us, we may well be reluctant to attempt helping others - especially when it means taking the role of a servant.  However, Jesus has commanded us to care for one another, not as a master to dictate and manage someone’s life, but as a servant - to sacrifice self-interest and meet their needs whatever the cost – and Jesus promises we will be blessed when we do.