[Verse 1]
The disciples were assembled
In the upper room
They didn't know that Jesus
Would be leaving very soon
They talked about His kingdom
As they readied for the feast
Who would be the greatest
And who would be the least
[Verse 2]
One said, If there's a greatest
I hope I'm the one
Others talked of miracles
That they had seen or done
No one noticed Jesus
As He rose up from His seat
Until He knelt before them
And began to wash their feet
[Chorus]
I've come to serve you
I've come to serve you
And if you know my Father's love
The way you say you do
Then you will serve each other too
[Verse 3]
I wish I could have been there
To see the look on each man's face
A single act of service
Puts us all back in out place
For though we're called to minister
And do miracles in His name
Remember when you're sent by Him
The reason that He came
[Chorus]
I've come to serve you
I've come to serve you
And if you know my Father's love
The way you say you do
Then you will serve each other too
[Outro]
Yes, you, should serve each other too
I've Come To Serve
Song Meaning
Ray Boltz sets "I've Come To Serve" inside the upper room's own competing conversation — "they talked about His kingdom as they readied for the feast, who would be the greatest and who would be the least" — letting the disciples' ambition be stated plainly before Jesus answers it without a word.
"No one noticed Jesus as He rose up from His seat, until He knelt before them and began to wash their feet" lets the action itself interrupt the argument, and the chorus states His own explanation in the plainest terms — "I've come to serve you, and if you know my Father's love the way you say you do, then you will serve each other too."
"I wish I could have been there to see the look on each man's face" admits a kind of envy for having witnessed the moment directly, and "a single act of service puts us all back in our place" names the effect of that one gesture on an entire room full of competing status. "Remember when you're sent by Him the reason that He came" ties every later act of ministry back to this one basin and towel, and the closing line, "yes, you, should serve each other too," drops the song's gentler phrasing for a direct, singular address.