Love Like Jesus: Part 2 - "Washes Feet" with Craig Groeschel - Life.Church

“I Can Do That—This One’s Mine”

Scripture References

• John 13

Overview

The night before the cross, Jesus stunned His disciples by stooping to wash their dusty feet (John 13). Pastor Craig shows that the Son of God noticed proud hearts and dirty feet and said, “I can do that—this one’s mine.” Loving like Jesus means adopting the same servant posture: seeing a need, owning it, and meeting it, no matter how small or humble. Serving is not an occasional task; it is the core identity of every follower of Christ.

Context

• Series: Love Like Jesus (week 2).
• Last week: Jesus forgives sinners.
• Next week: Jesus breaks bread.
• Today’s focus: Jesus washes feet—living a life of service.

Main Points

1. Jesus’ final night: proud hearts, dirty feet

• On Thursday of Passion Week, Jesus gathers for Passover knowing the cross is hours away.
• The disciples argue “Who’s the greatest?”—a snapshot of human pride.
• Jesus answers without words: He strips off His outer robe, wraps a towel, and washes feet—the task of the lowest household slave.
• Refrain:

  “I can do that—this one’s mine.”

2. What foot-washing looks like today

• Courtesy in that culture: greet with a kiss, offer foot washing—but never done by the host.
• Modern equivalent: meeting everyday needs that feel “beneath” us.
• Pastor’s admission: initial reaction is often, “I’m not doing that.”
• Training the heart: pray daily, “God, give me eyes to see needs, ears to hear hurt, and a heart to care.”

3. When God nudges, own the assignment

• Hedge-trimmer story: Craig helps an elderly woman trim shrubs after trying to walk away. Memories of his grandmother motivated obedience.
  Illustration: simple, unseen service can honor Christ and lift burdens.
• Guideline: when a need looks inconvenient or beneath you, it may be God’s assignment.

4. Serving flows from identity, not activity

• “Serving is not what I do; a servant is who I am.”
• Attitude precedes action: we were created and gifted to display Jesus.
• No spotlight needed—no social-media “honored to serve” posts.

5. God changes lives—starting with yours

• 17-year-old fender-bender story: generosity toward a demanding stranger eventually led the man’s whole family to Christ.
• Testimonies from Life.Church volunteers:
  • Leah (Albany): turns her painful past into mentoring middle-school girls.
  • Bill (Stillwater): wrote in funeral notes that driving a golf cart for guests was his greatest earthly joy.
  • Lori (South Broken Arrow): blind but greets on the host team—“no excuse keeps me from helping people feel loved.”
  • Paco/John: severe tinnitus pushed him to serve; now says he would endure it again if that’s what it took to find his place and friends in church.

6. The church is a body, not a consumer service

• Common complaint: “We can’t find a church that meets our needs.”
• Correction: We are spiritual contributors, not consumers. The church exists for the world.
• If this is your church home, find a role—someone else’s ministry depends on your gift.
• Parents’ tip: kids become passionate for Jesus when they see parents serve and when they themselves serve.

Key Truths

• The greatest in God’s Kingdom is the one who serves.
• Needs that feel “beneath” us are often the very assignments God wants us to take.
• Serving is an identity—when I follow Jesus, I become a servant.
• Meeting others’ needs changes their lives and transforms my own heart first.
• The local church flourishes when every believer moves from spectator to participant.

Response

• Pray each morning, “Show me the need that is mine to meet today.”
• Stop when you notice a practical need; ask, “God, is this my assignment?” then act.
• Choose one ministry area in your church this week and begin serving.
• Model joyful service at home so your children learn by watching and doing.
• Resist consumer language; speak and live as a spiritual contributor in every setting.

Closing

Jesus, the King of kings, wrapped a towel around His waist and washed feet. He still walks into rooms full of proud hearts and dirty needs, looking for disciples who will echo His words:

“I can do that—this one’s mine.”
Answer Him with your actions, and both you and those you serve will never be the same.

Prayer

Father, make us servants like Your Son. Open our eyes to needs we normally overlook, soften our hearts to care, and strengthen our hands to act. May our daily choices whisper, “This one’s mine,” so that people see Your love and glorify Christ.