Toward the end of his ministry on Earth, Jesus washed his disciples feet in a legendary act of service. This one moment epitomizes Jesus’ time spent here, and his relationship with his disciples, and can be seen as very empowering. “The Son of God loves us enough to get on his knees and wash our feet? Even when he knows the terrible things we have done and will do?” And this sentiment is not wrong. But before you get too carried away there, Jesus says this to his disciples:
“Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 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.” - John 13:12-15
Jesus doesn’t sacrifice for you so that you can sit back and revel in it. He loves humanity too much for that. Instead he sacrifices for you so that you will sacrifice for others, and make yourself low to them. Jesus serves as a model in all the aspects of his life, and that is a gift. In the same way, this moment should inform our attitude in our obedience to God and, relationship with others.
We are supposed to love and serve our neighbor; to potentially forfeit our comfort or desires for the sake of the Kingdom of God. Just reading that can feel exhausting, but that is because the natural instinct is to view yourself, and those around you, at a balance of zero. If nothing is owed anybody, when you serve somebody you go into a negative balance, and they a positive. They owe you now. This could not be further from the truth.
When you claim the sacrifice of Jesus over your sins, and align your heart with his, you open up a line of “Mercy Credit.” You will never have to pay back this line of credit, but it is important to understand that you are not starting at zero. You are indebted to the God of impossible mercy and grace. So when you give, either financially or with your efforts, view it as it really is; you are paying forward a tiny cup of the ocean of love that the Lord has poured out for you.
We love people because we have been loved, we forgive because we have been forgiven, and we serve and sacrifice because that is what Jesus has done for us. We aren’t giving from a balance of zero, we are giving because we ourselves are indebted.