Of all the Christian disciplines and all the examples of Jesus’ life why does the story of Jesus taking a towel and washing His disciples feet seem so difficult? I guess we have to wade through the literal interpretations to see that He is not just giving us a cultural model but something more in depth. We wake up each morning in a self-centered slumber to determine what we want to do. It takes a real disciple to push past our egocentrism to reflect on our brothers’ and sisters’ needs. So, this morning as you read John 13:1-13, think about the towel you will use to serve another. Yes, it is difficult but when will we realize serving others is the great call of our Christian journey, we might go to bed with less anxiety and a greater Christian experience.
Archive for the ‘Servant’ Category
Day 168: John 13:1-13 — The Towel
Thursday, June 17th, 2010Day 146: John 3:22-4:3 — He must increase and I must decrease!
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010John the Baptist proclaims his joy at Jesus’ success (John 3:29). However, Jesus’ success marks the completion of John’s work. This is an important lesson and reminds us that the success of the gospel is more important than our own ministries. After over 20 years of ministry, my time has come. For whatever reason pure or impure, my decision to resign as a paid minister has brought some clarity to my life. I am beginning to see more and more the ministerial struggle and turf battles that are commonplace in present-day life, both in and out of the church. Many ministries that I have begun will be taken over by others and there is part of me that wants to remind them of the history and the hard work that preceded them. I want to own them and then I realize they are not mine to own. John the Baptist teaches me a good lesson. We need to decrease and Jesus needs to increase (John 3:30). John’s disciples wanted him to reclaim his rightful spot, to disclaim Jesus as a gatecrasher into his ministry of baptism, but John would have none of it. John did not need the recognition and he did not want continuing praise. John did not want to compete with Jesus. As a follower of Jesus, I need to decrease and He needs to increase…maybe now, I can truly learn to serve…maybe now I can proclaim Jesus’ success and not worry about my own. Thanks John!
Day 134: Luke 22:24-27 — I Hate My Job!!!
Friday, May 14th, 2010I HATE MY JOB!!! Well, this may be a little hyperbole. I actually only hate part of my job. I hate it when people call me “Pastor.” I hate it when I get a piece of mail that says, “Dear Right Reverend Randy.” I hate it when people want to know if I am the senior minister. I hate it when someone thinks I am superior because I am a leader. I hate it when the pompous spiritual elite think they have it over someone else. I hate it when I fall into the same trap and become a hypocrite myself. Why? Read Luke 22:24-27!
Have religious leaders forgotten why we are here? I can see it now, the senior pastor and the bishop are fighting over who is the greatest or putting down some “lay” person (what a lousy term for a brother or sister in Christ). Ministers getting upset because they are not in the forefront. I love to read Luke 22:24-27 and see how Jesus defines religious leadership. We are true Christian leaders when we serve.
“But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.” (Luke 22:26–27, ESV)
Prayer for Today: Lord, teach us to be called servants because you served us!