How Do You Measure Success?

In the contemporary pursuit of success, many equate achievement with wealth, power, or status. However, from an evangelical perspective, the measure of true success is found in the humble service exemplified by Jesus Christ. In John 13:1–15, Jesus redefines success through an act that contradicts worldly paradigms: He washes the feet of His disciples. This passage, read through the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible, challenges conventional metrics and invites believers to consider servanthood as the highest form of leadership and success. In this blog post, we shall explore the theological and exegetical dimensions of John 13:1–15, critically examining its implications for evangelical theology and its enduring call for believers to serve one another in the manner of Christ.

The question “How do you measure success?” typically evokes images of prosperity, authority, and visible accomplishments. Yet, the Biblical narrative, particularly within the Gospel of John, offers a radically different perspective. Success in the Kingdom of God is not measured by one’s accumulation of riches or social standing but by the willingness to serve. Jesus’s action in John 13—washing the feet of His disciples—is emblematic of this paradigm shift. His act of servanthood, performed at the precipice of His Passion, redefines greatness and leadership for the Church.

The prophet Micah succinctly states in Micah 6:8 (ESV): “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” This call to justice, kindness, and humility is the very essence of the Gospel message. By choosing service over supremacy, Jesus models an alternative measure of success—a measure that is relational, sacrificial, and countercultural. The following sections present a detailed exegetical analysis of John 13:1–15, an exploration of its theological implications, and a reflection on how this passage should shape the understanding of success for evangelical believers.

Exegetical Analysis of John 13:1–15

Contextual Overview

John 13:1 begins with a narrative context that is as poignant as it is prophetic:
“Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end” (John 13:1, ESV). The passage is set during the Last Supper—a moment laden with intimacy and impending tragedy. Jesus is fully aware of the forthcoming crucifixion, and His actions are imbued with a sense of urgency and sacrificial love. The temporal markers (i.e., “before the Feast of the Passover”) situate the narrative within the Jewish liturgical calendar, thereby emphasizing the typological significance of Jesus as the Lamb of God.

Washing the Feet: The Humble Act of Service

In verses 3–5, the narrative records,

“After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded” (John 13:4–5, ESV). In a cultural context where foot washing was a task reserved for the lowliest servant, Jesus’s decision to perform this duty was nothing short of revolutionary. The Greek verb used for “wash” is νίπτω (nipto), which conveys the idea of cleansing or purifying. By engaging in this act, Jesus was addressing a physical need and symbolically cleansing His disciples of the sins and imperfections that hinder their relationship with God. This act embodies the profound theological truth that salvation and sanctification are achieved through humble service and divine grace.

The original Greek term diakoneo, meaning “to serve” or “to minister,” undergirds much of the discourse on servanthood in the New Testament. Jesus’s actions in John 13 provide a tangible demonstration of this concept, inviting His disciples—and by extension all believers—to view success not as an accumulation of honor but as the readiness to serve others selflessly.

The Dialogue with Peter

A critical moment in the passage occurs in verses 6–11, when Simon Peter protests, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” (John 13:6, ESV). Peter’s response reflects a tension between the desire to honor the Lord and the discomfort of receiving humble service. Jesus replies, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8, ESV). This statement underscores a critical theological point: fellowship with Christ is predicated upon the willingness to accept His cleansing service. The Greek word for “part” in this context, μέρος (meros), implies a share or participation in the divine mission. Peter’s request, “not my feet only, but also my hands and my head,” further illustrates the struggle to reconcile one’s pride with the necessity of humility. In accepting Jesus’s service, Peter—and by extension all believers—recognizes that true cleanliness is not merely ritualistic but relational and transformative.

Jesus’s gentle rebuke and explanation serve as an enduring reminder that the pathway to spiritual success is paved with humility and submission. The dialogue invites readers to reflect on the inherent irony that the one who exemplifies divine authority chooses to adopt the guise of a servant. In doing so, Jesus challenges conventional wisdom and redefines the metrics of success within the Kingdom.

The Command to Imitate

The concluding verses of the passage (John 13:12–15) encapsulate the essence of Jesus’s teaching. After completing the foot washing, Jesus asks His disciples,
“Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:12–15, ESV). Here, Jesus issues a clear command: His disciples are to emulate His example of servanthood. The imperative “you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (Greek: ὑποδείκνυμι, hypodeiknymi, “to show by example”) is not merely a call to a ceremonial act but a lifelong commitment to selfless service.

Jesus’s words echo throughout the New Testament. For instance, the Apostle Peter exhorts believers to “be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility” (1 Peter 5:5, ESV). The intertextual dialogue reinforces the concept that humility and service are not optional but essential to participation in the divine life and mission of the Church.

Original Language Insights

A closer examination of key Greek terms enriches our understanding of this passage. The term νίπτω (nipto) is employed to denote a thorough cleansing, both physical and spiritual. In parallel, diakoneo (to serve) is foundational to the New Testament’s depiction of leadership as servant leadership. Additionally, the phrase “to the end” in John 13:1 is rendered from the Greek εἰς τέλος (eis telos), suggesting a love that perseveres until completion. These lexical nuances underscore that success in the Gospel is not ephemeral or transactional; instead, it is measured by enduring, sacrificial love that mirrors the character of Christ. For an in-depth treatment of these terms, readers may consult standard lexicons such as Bauer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.

Redefining Success in the Kingdom

Within evangelical theology, success is not synonymous with worldly achievement but is intimately tied to one’s relationship with Jesus Christ. The foot washing in John 13 exemplifies the radical inversion of values that characterizes the Gospel. Jesus, fully aware of His divine identity and imminent sacrifice, chose to forgo conventional signs of power and honor in favor of an act of humble service. This countercultural act challenges believers to reassess their own measures of success.

The prophetic declaration of Micah 6:8 (ESV) encapsulates the essence of this reorientation:

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

This verse presents a template for success that is not measured by external accolades but by the integrity of one’s actions and the humility of one’s heart. Evangelical theologians have long argued that true success is found in the imitation of Christ’s self-sacrificial love and service. In the Church, leadership is redefined not by dominion or coercion but by the willingness to serve even the least among us.

Implications for Believers

For the contemporary believer, the implications of Jesus’s example in John 13 are profound. First, the call to serve is both personal and communal. Jesus’s command that His disciples “wash one another’s feet” is an invitation to embrace a lifestyle where service becomes a natural overflow of the Gospel. The act of washing feet, once a routine function performed by a servant, becomes a sacramental gesture of reconciliation and unity within the Body of Christ.

Second, Jesus’s example dismantles any hierarchical notion of success that places authority above service. In the evangelical context, leadership in the Church is modeled on servanthood rather than domination. As noted by renowned evangelical preachers such as Charles Spurgeon, “if there is a position in the Church where the worker will have to toil hard and get no thanks for it, take it, and be pleased with it” (Spurgeon, cited in Morris). The willingness to serve, even when it is socially devalued, is a hallmark of true discipleship.

Moreover, the dialogue with Peter reminds us that pride often obstructs the reception of God’s grace. Peter’s initial reluctance to be served by Jesus reflects a common human tendency to resist humility, even when it is divinely ordained. Jesus’s insistence that “if I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8, ESV) underscores that fellowship with Christ is contingent upon accepting His cleansing work—a work that purifies and transforms.

Servanthood as a Measure of Eternal Success

The evangelical understanding of success is intrinsically eschatological. The Kingdom of God calls for a reorientation toward eternal values in a world that prizes immediate, tangible rewards. Jesus’s act of washing His disciples’ feet is emblematic of an eternal measure of success—one that is not bound by the temporal accolades of this world. His life and ministry demonstrate that success is measured by one’s capacity to love, to serve, and ultimately to sacrifice for the sake of others.

Jesus’s words in John 13:15 further reinforce this perspective:

“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (ESV).

A disciple's success is not gauged by his ability to command respect or wield power but by his fidelity to Christ's example. In this light, the Church is called to foster an environment where service is both celebrated and expected—a community where the humble act of ministering to one another becomes the true mark of success.

Conclusion

John 13:1–15 presents an extraordinary redefinition of success—a measure not by wealth, power, or status but by the willingness to serve in humility and love. In this passage, Jesus Christ, fully aware of His divine mission and impending sacrifice, performs an act that shatters social hierarchies and challenges conventional wisdom. His act of washing His disciples' feet is a tangible demonstration of what it means to be truly successful in the Kingdom of God.

For evangelical believers, the implications are clear: to follow Christ is to embrace a life of servanthood. Success is attained not through self-promotion or accumulation of accolades but through a continual commitment to justice, kindness, and humility—a commitment vividly encapsulated in Micah 6:8 (ESV). Moreover, the dialogue with Peter reminds us that accepting the service of our Savior is essential to our fellowship with Him. As we imitate His example, we come to understand that the true measure of success lies in our willingness to serve one another sacrificially.

In a culture that often idolizes power and prestige, the Gospel offers an alternative vision—one where the lowly acts of service are exalted, and true greatness is found in humility. Jesus’s example in John 13 calls each believer to examine his own life and priorities. Are we, like Peter, hesitant to submit to the cleansing work of Christ? Or are we prepared to follow His lead by actively engaging in acts of humble service? The Church, as the Body of Christ, is invited to cultivate a community where success is not determined by external metrics but by the internal transformation wrought by the Gospel.

Ultimately, the measure of success in the life of a Christian is found in the echo of Christ’s love—a love that cleanses, redeems, and transforms. As we reflect on the profound lessons of John 13:1–15, let us commit ourselves anew to a model of success that mirrors the self-giving, servant-hearted leadership of our Lord and Teacher. In doing so, we not only fulfill the divine mandate but also bear witness to a Gospel that redefines greatness in the light of eternal truth.