1. Jesus, Who Showed the Example of Humility and Service
Jesus washing the disciples’ feet is vividly described in John 13:12–17. In particular, in verses 14–15, the Lord says, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” This passage, commonly referred to as the “foot washing” scene, provides us with profound spiritual lessons when we explore why Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and what that act signifies.
Jesus is the Creator of all things, our Savior, and the eternal Son of God—worthy of honor and glory. Yet He served the disciples by washing their feet, demonstrating a truth that goes far beyond a simple moral lesson. In the cultural context of that time, roads were not paved, and people usually walked on dusty paths. Before dining, it was customary for a servant or slave to wash a guest’s feet. Yet the disciples—who ought to have served the Lord—were instead served by Jesus, who took this paradoxical action. It is the scene of the Highest One taking the lowest position, illustrating in stark clarity the essence of Jesus’ humility and servanthood.
In many of his sermons, Pastor David Jang often emphasizes, “When we truly become humble before God, service naturally flows.” According to him, humility is not mere self-deprecation but an active attitude of emptying oneself before God’s will and loving one’s neighbors, following Christ’s example. Jesus’ act of lowering Himself is neither self-abasement nor self-pity; rather, the One most worthy refrained from asserting His own rights, thereby revealing the greatness of God’s love.
We can call Jesus’ action “divine humility.” It is deeply tied to the event of the Incarnation, in which He left behind the glory of heaven and came in human form. Philippians 2:6–8 tells us that Jesus, “being in very nature God,” emptied Himself, took on the form of a servant, and became like a human being. And appearing in human form, He humbled Himself and was obedient to death. John 13’s foot washing scene is a concrete example of this divine humility: Jesus did not abandon His deity; instead, He demonstrated a “voluntary emptying” to show us the ultimate example.
One notable aspect of Jesus’ service is that its recipients were His disciples. Although they had followed Jesus and witnessed many miracles and teachings, they were still vulnerable to human ambition and disputes. In Luke 22:24 and onward, shortly before Jesus was arrested, they argued over who was the greatest. They remained immature and did not fully understand the heart of the Lord. Nonetheless, Jesus washed their feet, displaying God’s immense love for those who were still weak and immature.
Pastor David Jang frequently uses this passage as an illustration in his sermons, insisting that “we, too, should serve even those who betray or misunderstand us, with the heart of Jesus.” Service is not rendered because the other person is “worthy of being served” but because we believe in “God’s perspective, which has already bestowed worth on them.” In other words, our service is based on grace rather than conditions. Whether the other person behaves suitably or not, if it is the path of following Jesus’ example of self-lowering, we must not hesitate to wash their feet.
The significance of Jesus’ foot washing lies not merely in the act of washing feet itself, but in the heart and attitude behind it. Jesus says, “You also ought to wash one another’s feet.” This command goes beyond physically washing feet to include the call to serve one another in all areas of life. In that cultural context, washing feet was a servant’s job; thus, Jesus deliberately took the position of a servant. Therefore, as long as we profess faith in Jesus, we, too, must continually humble ourselves and practice service to our neighbors in our daily lives.
Through service, we can break our self-centered nature. By default, humans tend to prioritize personal profit and advantage. The “old self” that Scripture describes constantly seeks to exalt and glorify itself. Yet the Lord tells us, “Whoever wants to become great must become the least.” This teaching directly opposes worldly values, but in the kingdom of God—a kingdom of paradox—the truth operates differently: to rise highest, we must descend to the lowest place.
Pastor David Jang often says, “Lowering oneself is the shortcut to spiritual growth.” Using Jesus’ foot washing as an example, he stresses that humility and service are the most powerful remedies for conflict within the church. Most disputes and quarrels arise from hearts that claim to be right or that seek higher position. However, when we shift to an attitude of service, genuine reconciliation and unity become possible. Just as Jesus washed the disciples’ “dirty feet,” we should be willing to wash away the dust from the paths others have traveled, embracing them despite their filth and weaknesses.
How, then, can we practically live out humility and service? First, we must look to Jesus’ example. Religious fervor or moral cultivation alone cannot lead us to the complete self-emptying Jesus displayed. True humility is achievable only by deeply meditating on the love of the cross and, with the Spirit’s help, taking on the heart of Jesus. We also need a willingness to humble ourselves and serve, even in situations that seem illogical or in which we feel we are at a disadvantage—if that is what the Lord desires.
Another dimension of the foot washing is the theme of “cleansing.” As Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He symbolically demonstrated purification. When Peter initially resisted and then asked Jesus to wash not only his feet but also his hands and head, Jesus replied that one who has bathed needs only to wash his feet (John 13:9–10). This implies that even believers who are born again can still pick up the “dust of sin” in daily life, and thus must continually return to the Lord’s grace for cleansing. Therefore, washing one another’s feet also signifies a prayerful heart for each other’s purity and a loving desire to build one another up.
In many sermons, Pastor David Jang states, “When we wash each other’s feet, we must also cover each other’s weaknesses and sinfulness, forgive and restore them.” This is how believers and church communities share the grace of “being made clean.” All humility and service find their foundation in the love of the cross. When we remember the unconditional love God showed us on the cross, we gain the strength to deny ourselves and serve others.
Over the centuries, John 13’s foot washing scene has shaped countless Christians, demonstrating the model of humility and service. Throughout church history—whether in monastic movements, lay movements, or various spiritual revivals—many have risen up around the call to “follow Christ’s humility.” This remains just as relevant in the 21st century, in a world dominated by self-exaltation, hyper-individualism, and fierce competition. Yet the Lord’s command is unchanging: “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” We must keep this word in our hearts and enact it in our lives.
Ultimately, Jesus reveals that the kingdom of God comes among us through humility and service, and that this is the true path of discipleship. By willingly setting aside the glory of heaven and descending to the lowest place for our sake, we see the depth of God’s love. And the command “wash one another’s feet” requires not just outward acts of service, but an inward humility. As Pastor David Jang has repeatedly underscored, when such a spirit of service is restored both inside and outside the church, real revival will occur, along with personal spiritual growth. May we treasure this truth deeply, and like Jesus, put humility and service into practice as Christians.
2. Bear One Another’s Burdens: The Way to Fulfill the Law of Christ
In Galatians 6:2, Paul says, “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” This “law of Christ” is the law of love (see Romans 13:10). “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,” Jesus said, and His act of washing the disciples’ feet is the clearest example of this commandment. Therefore, “Bear one another’s burdens” means we should share in each other’s difficulties and sufferings in our daily lives, and at its core is service and sharing.
In John 13, Jesus demonstrated service through His humility, while Galatians describes this service as “bearing one another’s burdens.” Burdens can refer to each person’s life challenges—sin, sorrow, financial struggles, illness, spiritual conflict, and so forth. But Paul instructs believers to shoulder these burdens together within the community, rather than bearing them alone. This command can feel inconvenient in a modern society steeped in individualism, but according to Jesus’ teaching, when a community prays and lovingly supports one another, Christ’s grace flows as if through one unified body.
In his various sermons, particularly those focusing on the importance of church community, Pastor David Jang often says, “God does not want us to live in isolation but to build a community that carries burdens together in love.” People easily become absorbed in their own troubles or remain indifferent to others’ problems, but under the law of Christ, we must put aside selfish attitudes and share in our neighbors’ pain. Though bearing another’s burdens is difficult, it is also the very path that leads us to maturity and strengthens the community.
The premise of “bear one another’s burdens” is that these burdens do indeed exist. The church is not a gathering of perfect people but a community of those who are sinful and broken yet brought together by God’s grace. Consequently, everyone carries heavy loads in some form—familial issues, health concerns, psychological pain, financial hardships, and so on. Often, these burdens are too weighty for an individual to manage. But in a church that practices true love, we can request prayer, share practical help, and weep and rejoice together. When we share each other’s loads in this way, we no longer carry the responsibilities of life alone, fulfilling the law of Christ as the Lord commands.
How can we specifically bear each other’s burdens? First, we must make an effort to understand others’ circumstances and situations. Even in church, if we remain indifferent, we will not know who is suffering. Healthy relationships and open communication are prerequisites for sharing one another’s burdens. Second, we must look for ways to actually help carry those burdens—through prayer, financial support, a listening ear, a comforting word—whatever we can genuinely offer. Third, we must recognize that in this process, we too grow spiritually. Carrying burdens is never easy, but because it is the way of service Jesus demonstrated, we become more Christlike as we walk it.
When preaching on Galatians 6:2, Pastor David Jang emphasizes that the “law of Christ” goes beyond mental assent or emotional sympathy and demands real action. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and then declared, “You also ought to wash one another’s feet,” challenging us to love through concrete deeds, not mere words. Likewise, when Paul instructs us to “bear one another’s burdens,” he calls us to take responsibility for one another in tangible acts of love.
Often, when we think of serving or volunteering in the church, we picture worship duties, event management, or evangelism. While these are important aspects of service, a more fundamental service is “love revealed in relationships.” When someone is on the brink of despair, a small gesture of help or a heartfelt prayer can be the truest example of “bearing one another’s burdens.” According to Pastor David Jang, this is “the real image of the church.” Such a community may not look flashy on the outside, but it is filled with profound spiritual bonds and the love of God.
From another perspective, bearing burdens also involves forgiveness and forbearance. We are all sinners, prone to mistakes and failures. A church community that lacks acceptance of human faults, that refuses to embrace one another’s weaknesses, will soon be fragmented by conflict. But if we follow Jesus, who urged us to forgive seventy times seven, and if we apply His principle of forgiveness and mutual consideration, the church becomes a community of grace and genuine love. Forgiveness does not mean justifying another’s wrongdoing; it means covering their weaknesses with the love of Christ. As washing someone’s feet removes dirt, so we prayerfully seek the cleansing power of Jesus’ blood to wash away sins and frailties in each other’s lives.
Pastor David Jang repeatedly stresses that “bearing one another’s burdens displays the church’s most glorious essence.” The church is not respected by the world for its grand buildings or its organizational strength, but for its practice of love and service. According to Paul, fulfilling the law of Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of all commandments, and this path is precisely what Jesus modeled for us. On the cross, Jesus bore the burden of our sins. Therefore, following Jesus’ heart means bearing the burdens of others so that Christ’s love is tangibly shown to the world.
Now, the call to “bear one another’s burdens” must move beyond mere theory and penetrate our actual daily life. In the church, in our families, in our workplaces, and in society at large, we should reflect on how diligently we are trying to shoulder each other’s burdens. When we hear that someone is in distress, do we simply say, “I’ll pray for you,” but fail to offer genuine support or sincere concern? Love must be proven by proactive deeds rather than words. As we start with small acts of support and genuinely help each other carry life’s heavy loads, we build a true community where God’s grace abounds and where His living presence is evident to all.
Ultimately, the foot washing Jesus demonstrated is linked directly to Galatians 6’s teaching. By lowering Himself, He exemplified humility, and by bearing each other’s burdens, we exemplify service. Pastor David Jang describes this as “being Jesus’ hands and feet to one another.” Because love is not theoretical but lived out, believers who daily carry each other’s burdens and practice mutual love provide the most powerful witness to Christ. In this way, we fulfill the law of Christ and experience the fullness of love, which is the fulfillment of the law.
Living this way—bearing each other’s burdens—may seem strenuous, but it actually brings greater grace and joy. We all face mountain-sized problems we cannot conquer with our own strength, but within a community that shoulders these burdens together, the load is lightened, prayer power is multiplied, and we experience God’s amazing work. In the midst of such caring fellowship, we can proclaim God’s living reality with greater conviction. A church in which Christ’s love enables believers to bear each other’s burdens together is like a solid rock that remains unshaken in the face of any worldly challenge.
3. The Way of the Cross and the Life of True Discipleship
In John 13:16–17, Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus—whom they addressed as “Lord” and “Teacher”—commands them to serve one another as He has served them, adding that “if you know these things and do them, you will be blessed.” This is a declaration that true blessing is found in following the path Jesus walked: the way of the cross.
The way of the cross is the most painful and challenging path. Yet it is also the path that triumphs over sin and death forever. By dying on the cross, Jesus gave us the forgiveness of sins and eternal life; by rising again, He opened the way to new life. But Jesus did not stop at bearing the cross Himself—He also called His disciples to take up their own crosses and follow Him (Matthew 16:24). Thus, true discipleship involves “a cruciform life” that embraces suffering and death, knowing that genuine spiritual resurrection and joy are found in sharing Christ’s suffering.
Pastor David Jang cautions, “The moment we stop focusing on the cross, our faith can easily succumb to worldly greed or human pride,” because the cross shatters our sinful nature and self-interest. At the foot of the cross, no one can boast and no one can exalt themselves. Only Jesus’ righteousness and love shine forth, and His sacrifice alone is our true boast. Therefore, a life of genuine discipleship is one that returns daily to the cross, choosing humility and service as Jesus demonstrated.
Even at the Last Supper, Jesus’ disciples were arguing over who was greatest. Such is the raw human tendency, and we are no different—constantly comparing ourselves to others and seeking higher positions, recognition, and comfort. But the way of the cross points in the opposite direction. The highest became the lowest, the King came as a servant, and the Innocent One suffered in the place of sinners. We call this Jesus our “Lord” and follow Him. Hence, a disciple who walks the way of the cross denies themselves, serves others, and endures hardship joyfully if it is for the sake of the Lord.
John 13’s foot washing scene and Galatians 6’s exhortation to “bear one another’s burdens” are guideposts for walking the way of the cross. In other words, embracing humility and service is the path of self-denial. Jesus demonstrated it not just with words but with action, then said, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” The “blessing” here is not a temporary, material prosperity but the eternal joy and peace of God’s kingdom and participation in the completion of salvation.
In various other sermons, Pastor David Jang also teaches, “The way of the cross cannot be walked without suffering and tears, yet beyond that suffering lies the glory of resurrection.” Jesus had to go through the path of death to experience the victory of the resurrection. Similarly, we too must pass through trials. A true Christian life must always remain awake to the spirit of Lent—the season of remembering Christ’s suffering—which encourages us to repent of our pride and sinfulness and kneel humbly at the cross. This attitude should not be confined to Lent but should permeate our entire daily walk with God.
What changes occur in our lives when we walk the way of the cross? First, the “fruit of love” is produced within us. Jesus gave the new commandment to love one another, and in Galatians 5, Paul teaches that love is the first of the Spirit’s fruits. When we linger at the cross, the Holy Spirit transforms our hearts, removing selfishness and filling us with the love of Jesus. Second, it leads to “forgiveness and reconciliation.” On the cross, Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). One who follows the way of the cross tries to love even an enemy, striving to resolve conflicts within and outside the church through this same Christlike love.
Third, it bears the fruit of “devotion and obedience.” Knowing that bearing the cross was the Father’s will, Jesus obeyed until the end. It was not that He felt no fear; rather, He chose the Father’s will in the midst of fear (Matthew 26:39). A true disciple likewise puts God’s will above personal desires, listening closely to the Holy Spirit’s prompting, and consistently asking, “Lord, what is Your will?” Fourth, “humility and service” become habitual. The cross keeps us ever vigilant. Even when engaged in ministry or service, we strive not to spotlight ourselves but to exalt only Jesus.
In all these ways, we actively live out “the discipleship of Christ.” When Jesus says, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them,” He implies that true blessing comes not from knowledge alone but from obedient practice. Jesus repeatedly emphasized to His disciples that it is not enough to simply hear His words; we must also do them. No matter how much Scripture we know, how many sermons we enjoy, or how moved we are by worship songs, if we do not choose the way of the cross in our daily lives, all of it becomes meaningless.
In his sermons, Pastor David Jang often declares, “Jesus’ way is not a path of ‘adding more’ but a path of ‘subtracting.’” The world teaches us to accumulate, own, and succeed, but Jesus voluntarily relinquished, emptied, and sacrificed. Experiencing this paradox is precisely what it means to live a cruciform life. It is difficult because it conflicts with worldly values, but on this path, Jesus walks with us, and we are promised a genuine joy and glory.
Thus, when Jesus says, “A servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him,” He reminds us that we can never surpass or go beyond the Lord’s plan. We are servants of Jesus, and we have been sent by Him on a mission. Therefore, we have no option but to follow the very way He has shown us: the way of the cross. Surprisingly, this path of humility, service, suffering, and sacrifice is also the path to “Christlikeness,” and therefore a path of genuine blessing.
Pastor David Jang often proclaims in church settings that “those who bear the cross in this life will experience glory in the kingdom of heaven.” Many spiritual forerunners walked this same road. The apostles, martyrs, and countless faithful witnesses throughout church history humbled themselves and remained loyal to God, bearing their crosses. Because of their perseverance through persecution and hardship, the gospel has continued to spread. Even today, if we do not abandon this path, the church will display God’s glory and shine as salt and light in the world.
Inevitably, we may sometimes feel discouraged or puzzled while journeying the way of the cross. We wonder why it remains so painful, why suffering never seems to relent, or why our good deeds are not recognized by the world. But recalling the path Jesus has already paved, we see that it is precisely the “way of life.” After the cross came the resurrection; beyond death lay the eternal victory of life. For those who follow Jesus, this resurrection glory is also promised. Looking toward that glory, we can endure present suffering and hardship for the sake of what is eternally priceless.
In conclusion, John 13:12–17, Galatians 6:2, and Jesus’ example of the cross converge into one message: humility (foot washing) and service, bearing one another’s burdens in love, and walking the way of the cross in true discipleship. Pastor David Jang calls this “the core that Christians must never lose,” asserting that the very reason for the church’s existence is to cling to this gospel essence and witness to it in the world. The church faces many challenges today, but if we hold fast to this foundation—lowering ourselves like Jesus, serving one another, bearing one another’s burdens, and carrying our cross—we become salt and light to the world and bring glory to God.
All of this teaching can be summarized as follows. First, Jesus, though the highest of all, set the ultimate example of humility and service by washing His disciples’ feet. Second, according to Galatians 6:2, we must bear one another’s burdens, fulfilling the law of love, so that the church is strengthened, and God’s love is revealed. Third, the way of the cross is a path of hardship and sacrifice, yet true disciples willingly walk it, partaking in the glory of the resurrection. This is the genuine blessing God grants us, and the reason Jesus said, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Therefore, if we confess Jesus as Lord and Teacher, we should not merely know about His life but truly follow Him. Remember the Lord’s humble hands washing the disciples’ feet, and look around to see who is struggling. Be willing to share their burdens in prayer, and offer material, emotional, or spiritual support as needed. At the foot of the cross, lay down your selfish desires and embody Jesus’ spirit of service in real life. As Pastor David Jang has repeatedly proclaimed, through “the true glory that comes from humility and service,” we will taste genuine blessing, and the church will be a living testimony of “the way of the Lord” to the world.
In the end, we must hold on to Jesus’ words to His disciples: “For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” We must also obey Galatians 6:2: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Moreover, as the Apostle John records, Jesus loved to the end; even in His final moments on the cross, He poured Himself out for others. Meditating on this love of the cross, may we likewise love to the very end, washing one another’s feet, bearing each other’s burdens, and walking the way of the cross. That is the true path of discipleship and the calling of “true witnesses of Jesus Christ,” which Pastor David Jang highlights time and again. And on that path, we will share in the glory of the Resurrection alongside our Lord.