01-30-12 "Serving: God's Pathway to Influence" John 13:1-17

The passage I read was John 13:1-17

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+13%3A1-17&version=NIV

The verse that most stood out to me:

¹⁵ I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

As I reflect:

So here we have an entire scene that has many times been taken out of context.  I’d like to do my best to place it in context so we can see what’s being done here.  Normally when entering this room for dining, all persons feet would have had the sandals removed and their feet cleaned.  This was because the tables of the time were very low to the ground and instead of a chair, you would simply pull up a pillow to lean upon while you ate.  This meant that your feet were not only close to the food, but also close to each other.  Now, normally there would have been a servant of some kind that would wash ones feet before entering this room, but on this occasion no servant is mentioned. 

The problem is, in the absence of a servant, you would have thought that a disciple would have happily kneeled at the entrance to the room and washed and dried Jesus’ feet before entry.  Why didn’t this happen?  I wonder if it was because the disciples were too busy arguing over who was the greatest among them at this time.  They were too concerned with who would sit closest to Jesus (as it was customary back then for those of the greatest importance to sit closest to the host).  How sad that in these last few moments of their time with Christ in the flesh, they still hadn’t gotten it.  They still didn’t understand humility or servitude even unto each other.  So here Jesus allowed His actions to speak louder than words.  He didn’t give a big speech… That had already been done.  He instead became an example to them of what we ought to all be willing to do for one another.  I’m not talking about washing feet here.  I’m talking about the first will be last, the lifted up will be humbled and the humble will be lifted up, the strong are those who recognize their weakness and rely on God, and to be great requires to be a servant.  The disciples still hadn’t had all this sink in, and so it was acted out before them as the King of Kings knelt and showed by example what servitude was. 

Too often Christians are far too concerned with their title or the level of authority they have in the church or how many emails they get per week, or how many face book friends like their post… Listen! Life isn’t about all that!  Humble thyself in the sight of the Lord.  Serve like Jesus served.  Poor your all out for one another.  Be Christ to your brother, your sister, you mom, you uncle, the stranger across the street, the homeless guy, they corner store clerk, the frustrated co-worker.  Serve like Jesus.   

My response to the Lord:

My Father in Heaven, your name is above all names and you are worthy to be praised.  I praise you and thank you for the examples you have given.  I need your help to follow those examples.  Help me today to be a servant and to help all that I can in any way possible.  Help me to serve like Jesus served.  Keep my eyes focused on you and on those in need instead of on me.  Help me to help others Lord.  In Jesus’ name.