John 13:16 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.
A Servant is Not Greater than His Lord
There is no one greater than Jesus Christ, and there is no greater servant than Jesus Christ. Thus our relationship to all other people is a reflection of our relationship to the Master, this servant among men, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus reminded His disciples in John 13:16 that the servant is not greater than his lord. He said this after a very personal act of service, washing the disciples’ feet. It was an act of great humility by God in human flesh, and He said, “I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
That the servant is not greater than his lord is an important truth that affects every area of our lives. Are there people who have a nicer house than you have? Well, of course. Did Jesus have a nicer house than you have? The servant is not greater than his lord. Are there people that have more education, more titles, or more degrees than you have? Certainly. Does Jesus have more? Was Jesus more highly regarded by the people of His day than you are by the people of yours? No, the people of Christ’s day crucified Him. Are you ever misunderstood? Well, of course. Do you think that the Lord Jesus was misunderstood less than you have been? The servant is not greater than his lord.
There are three settings that specifically drive this home. Verse 16 says, “The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.”Would He serve those that you would not? The servant is not greater than his lord.
In verse 20 He says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth whomsoever I send, receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” Are there those whom Jesus has sent that you would not receive? Are there those whom Jesus would receive that you would not receive?
What about love? In verse 35 Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Now love is not a feeling alone. It is not something fickle like “like” is. No, love is doing what is right by people whether I like them or not. It is a decision. It is Christ’s power through me to love them as Jesus loves me and others. So, would Jesus love those that you would not?
These are questions that we should ask ourselves every day throughout the day. We would do well to remember that our relationship to others is but a reflection of our relationship to the Master.