April 24 Servant savior

John 13:1-5 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 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.
 
DO you see some “conflict” or illogical connection here? Think of it. The most powerful authority in the world performed a slave’s task. Why does the eternal Son of God so humbly serve his disciples?
   Jesus is model. He is showing us how to live in his resurrection power. Serving the One who served us even unto the cross requires we change our attitude from, “I” to “You”. With a servant’s heart, your life models Jesus’ life. You become empowered to release your own desires to more readily see how you can care for others. A servant’s heart strengthens you to genuinely “love one another as Christ has loved you” (from John 13:34). In faithful, active love, you seek each day to answer, “How can I love someone for you today, Lord?”  
   Here’s an example. One day I heard a teaching at a Bible study on the word “hospitality”. “Hospitality” comes from “hospital’, meaning to offer care and comfort to people. During the teaching I sat with two men who each had just before the lesson, shared a “hospitality story”. One had been helped by a stranger. Another was helping a person deal with great physical brokenness. Also, a third man was motivated after the lesson to go that day and care for someone he had forgotten. Jesus was being real in these hospitality circumstances. The Spirit was stirring hearts to humbly love others. The Spirit was moving hands and feet to serve as Jesus served us.
   Jesus often demonstrated that humble service is a God thing. We need a heart for Jesus to have Jesus’ hospitable hands and feet – even as they may be pierced with nails.    Yes, the needs are many. And people who need help often refuse to humbly submit to godly help. Being a servant is hard work. It requires diligent attention to often difficult tasks. Yet, as Jesus’ disciples, this is our calling.
   Truly we can’t help everyone. But perhaps we can help one or two. Maybe there is someone who needs a call, an invitation to a meal, a listening ear, an errand run or a bit of your time to say, “You matter to me. You matter to God.”
 
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for your eternal service to my soul. Humble my heart, my hands and feet to serve you today, Lord God. Amen.