Holy Week: Servanthood

In continuation of our reflection of the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion, let's look at a moment from His Passover meal with the disciples:

Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 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.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

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. Very truly I tell you, 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."

John 13:3-17

Here, we learn that accepting Jesus as our Lord and Teacher, we are to follow the example that He set for us. Jesus was willing to perform the lowliest act of servanthood for His disciples. He got on His hands and knees, picked up their dirty feet, and washed them.

If our God can do such a thing for us, how much more should we be willing to serve those around us? Meditate on this word as you go about your day today. Ask the Lord to create in you a servant's heart. Be willing to serve those around you allowing Christ's example to be your guide.

Recognizing God's Will

David and Jonathan had one of the most celebrated friendships in the Bible. Yet, the two of them had just cause to hate each other. Jonathan was the son of King Saul, the man who was literally doing everything in his power to hunt down and kill David. David stood as the one man who would take over King Saul's throne - a throne that by right belonged to Jonathan.

However the two men were closer than brothers. They loved and looked out for one another. They recognized the honor and grace that each of them had inside and respected one another. They didn't allow outside circumstances or inward envy or selfishness to taint their views of the other. Because they were able to remain humble, they were able to experience a friendship that was beyond comparison.

Both of them respected the Lord in their friendship. David refused kill King Saul because He respected how the Lord had chosen Saul to be King. Even when he had every reason to take out his enemy, David chose to honor the Lord's will.

Jonathan respected God's call on David's life. He did not become bitter or envious when he realized that David would one day reign as king over Israel. Instead, Jonathan honored the Lord and did his best to protect the future king.

Do you recognize and respect the will of God for those around you? When you see other people, are you looking with the eyes of the spirit? Or, are you looking at things in a selfish or envious light?

We must make strides to always remain humble and remember that God's will far outweighs our own. We must not look with resentment on someone whom God has placed in a position, even when they may be abusing their place. We can't become bitter when God chooses someone else to take on a task that we might have thought belonged to ourselves.

In all things we must recognize God's omniscient control. In all things we must remind ourselves that His will is what's best. With everything, we should choose to follow after Him because it will all work together for our good in the long run.

Verse of the Day: At last Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the LORD’s name. The LORD is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.” 1 Samuel 20:42a

Seeking the Spotlight

We live in a time where everyone wants their piece of fame. If they're not lining up by the millions to go on reality shows, they're posting videos on YouTube. If they aren't on YouTube, they're begging for followers on Twitter.  If not on Twitter, they're agonizing over how many "friends" they have on Facebook. Parents are pushing their children to be the next great star and thrusting them onto world stages.

This world is crying out for their fifteen minutes of fame whether we want to see them or not.

Jesus warned about seeking notoriety. In Luke 14:11 He said, For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. I believe this is why so many people in the spotlight fall away so often. They've blown themselves up, and, in the end, they don't pass under pressure and scrutiny.

Jesus says that those who are humble will be exalted. Those who do things in secret. Those who act out of the kindness of their heart, not looking for acknowledgement. Those who choose to give of themselves whether they are thanked or not. These are the types of people God looks for to exalt.

God has given us all dreams and visions for our lives. Those dreams may involve you "blowing up" or becoming really well-known. There is nothing bad in making a name for yourself. It's the spirit that you go into that realm that determines things. Are you going after your dream to get yourself fame and fortune? Or, are you working to help enrich the lives of others? Are you working on your craft because you're so big and bad? Or, are you giving the talent or gift God has given you out as an offering back to Him?

God doesn't care about your status, fame, or fortune. He could care less how many people know your name or what great things you've been able to accomplish... even if it's in His name. What He does care about is your heart. He's looking at your motivation. He's looking at the state of your spirit.

Are you humbly going after your dream giving credit where credit is due? Or, are you going forth in a spirit of pride and selfishness only looking for personal gain?

Be careful how you go forth in your purpose and destiny! You don't want your arrival at the top to be short lived.

Verse of the Day: Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had...he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names... Philippians 2:3-5a, 8, 9 (NLT)

Humility

God rewards those who are humble. There is an element in genuine humility that touches God's heart.

Jesus - even being King of Kings - allowed Himself to be humbled to come to earth in the form of a human being. While here, Jesus did not take on a spirit of pride or superiority, He remained humble enough to play with little children. He had a servant's heart and went as far as washing His disciples' feet.

With Jesus as our example, we too should be showing humility in all that we do.

None of us are better than any other person. We can't even comprehend the complexities and workings of our own bodies, so who are we to think that we are above anyone else?

The same God who created us created them. The same way we were offered salvation from sin, they are too. The same promises that we have in God's Word are left to others as well.

No matter how 'good' we may feel we are, no matter how much we may think we have done for the Kingdom, we still cannot come up to what we rightfully owe to the Lord. It is His all sufficient grace that covers us and makes us worthy to come before Him.

The spirit of pride is what caused satan to be cast out of God's presence. It was when he believed he was "better than" that he got into trouble. Don't let pride get you off track.

Yes, you are talented, purposed, beautiful, and gifted. Yet, you cannot forget that you didn't make yourself that way. Your Heavenly Father created you. He's the one that gave you your talents, gifts, and abilities. He's the one that's allowing your brain to continue to function so you can retain all the wisdom you have. He's the one that's guiding your footsteps and creating your great life in Him.

Don't fool yourself into thinking that you did anything alone. God has empowered you to get where you are and to go where you're going.

Stay humble. Remember who you are because of Christ, and allow that to inspire you forward.

Verse of the Day: A man's pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit. Proverbs 29:23