The Servant of All
Scripture: John 13:4-17: So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. …When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Meditation:Too often in churches today, people fight for positions of importance and power. We expect to see “political fights” in business; but in the church? It is a shame. Yet, people are people. We all want to feel important – to feel that we are a part of something important. The disciples; the men closest to Jesus – who walked with Him and talked with Him – they suffered from the same human frailties we suffer. In our passage today, Jesus gave His disciples a great lesson about what it means to serve. We tend to read through this Scripture thinking that is nice that Jesus served His disciples by washing their feet not realizing the significance of this seemingly simple act. Jesus’ act of service is very significant. This is not something a teacher would do for his students at that time. Foot washing was done by servants and slaves, not by someone of status. Peter’s remark of ‘not so Lord’ as Jesus bent down to wash his feet demonstrates how unusual it was for this to happen. It simply was not heard of. Yet, Jesus – the Creator of the Universe was willing to be that servant and perform the lowest of tasks by washing His disciple’s feet. Jesus demonstrated that no one is above the most menial of chores. No one is above serving even those who would be below them. He told His disciples that as He had washed their feet, they should also wash each other’s feet. It would be something like a senior pastor showing up at the house of one of his congregation to clean their toilets and scrub the kitchen floors. We are called to humility and we are called to be servants and to serve as Jesus served.
Challenge: Do you serve in humility? Or is position important to you? Are you willing to do the most menial of chores – even to clean the toilets or wash someone’s dirty feet? God doesn’t need leaders, He desires servants; people who are willing to obey and serve without the desire for position. Are you that kind of person?
Thought for the Day: Lord, help me to serve humbly – not to desire position or exaltation, but only to serve You and the people you put into my path.
E-votion, a weekly electronic publication by Chris Garner from Fortified Marriages
Scripture: John 13:4-17: So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. …When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
Meditation:Too often in churches today, people fight for positions of importance and power. We expect to see “political fights” in business; but in the church? It is a shame. Yet, people are people. We all want to feel important – to feel that we are a part of something important. The disciples; the men closest to Jesus – who walked with Him and talked with Him – they suffered from the same human frailties we suffer. In our passage today, Jesus gave His disciples a great lesson about what it means to serve. We tend to read through this Scripture thinking that is nice that Jesus served His disciples by washing their feet not realizing the significance of this seemingly simple act. Jesus’ act of service is very significant. This is not something a teacher would do for his students at that time. Foot washing was done by servants and slaves, not by someone of status. Peter’s remark of ‘not so Lord’ as Jesus bent down to wash his feet demonstrates how unusual it was for this to happen. It simply was not heard of. Yet, Jesus – the Creator of the Universe was willing to be that servant and perform the lowest of tasks by washing His disciple’s feet. Jesus demonstrated that no one is above the most menial of chores. No one is above serving even those who would be below them. He told His disciples that as He had washed their feet, they should also wash each other’s feet. It would be something like a senior pastor showing up at the house of one of his congregation to clean their toilets and scrub the kitchen floors. We are called to humility and we are called to be servants and to serve as Jesus served.
Challenge: Do you serve in humility? Or is position important to you? Are you willing to do the most menial of chores – even to clean the toilets or wash someone’s dirty feet? God doesn’t need leaders, He desires servants; people who are willing to obey and serve without the desire for position. Are you that kind of person?
Thought for the Day: Lord, help me to serve humbly – not to desire position or exaltation, but only to serve You and the people you put into my path.
E-votion, a weekly electronic publication by Chris Garner from Fortified Marriages