Hospitable Servant

Read John 13:1-20
 
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 in these Bible verses? Think of it. The most powerful authority in the world – the One who spoke he world into existence (John 1) – performs a “low-servant” task. Washing feet is one of the lowliest tasks in the Jewish household.  Why does eternal Son of God serve his disciples in this seemingly lowly way?
    Jesus is teaching us what it looks like live in his resurrection power. Serving the One who served us even unto the cross requires we change our attitude from, “I” to “You”. Your life, modeling Jesus’ life, is empowered to let go of your own desires. You are strengthened in Christ’s sacrificial love for you to “love one another as Christ has loved you” (from John 13:34). In faithful love, you seek each day, “How can I love for you today, Lord?”   
    This is difficult, isn’t it? Why should I look out for someone else when I have too many obstacles to get to where I need to go? Why should I care for a person who doesn’t care for himself? Why should I love a drug addict? Can’t these people wake up and live right? What about my time and my desires?
    But should we, instead ask, “Who do I know who can help this desperate person live well? How can I help him live into Jesus’ resurrection power?” Yes, we spend a good deal of time judging people to find excuses. It’s easy to ignore their broken and desperate needs because the needs overwhelm us. We keep hurting people away when we should be welcoming them into our homes.
    I heard a timely teaching on hospitality today. “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 this 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.  
 
Resurrection Truth: Resurrection living shows Jesus’ hospitality.