Only Do What Is To Be Expected.....?
The Gospel of John
John Chapter 13:12-17, 34-35 (The Message)
Scripture:
12-17 Then he said, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as 'Teacher' and 'Master,' and rightly so. That is what I am. So if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other's feet. I've laid down a pattern for you. What I've done, you do. I'm only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn't give orders to the employer. If you understand what I'm telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.
34-35 "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other."
Observation:
A servant is by definition: The American Heritage® Dictionary
Servant:(n.) One who is privately employed to perform domestic services.
Servant:(n.) One who is publicly employed to perform services, as for a government.
Servant:(n.) One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another: your obedient servant.
Jesus displayed the heart and the actions of a servant by washing the disciple’s feet. What is intriguing to me is that he said he was laying down a pattern for us to follow. What Jesus has done we are to also do. Jesus also said that we are to love each other in the same way that he has loved us. What does this mean? Are we to have foot washing services or is there something more beyond the act of washing each others feet? It seems to me that what Jesus is really teaching us is to accept the role of a servant. Think about this, in those days, who would wash the feet of those visiting your house? It is hard for us to relate to this story for we have all grown up in the age of the automobile but perhaps you can remember as a child, playing outside and then tracking dirt or mud into the house? Can you recall your mother’s reaction to seeing the soiled floor? “Get outside and take those shoes and socks off!” “Then you march into the bathroom and wash your feet!” I can hear my mom now like it was yesterday. These disciples of Jesus were walking every where they traveled and we all know what sweaty, stinky feet are like? If you had a servant wouldn’t you have your servant wash those feet? This story we read in John chapter 13 is incredible, Jesus is their Lord, their Messiah, he is the master of the universe and he is the one who washes their feet! I believe that Jesus is saying to us that the role of a servant is the expected response of his disciples! Even more than a response, we are to be servants. A servant is not asked to wash feet, it is presumed, anticipated and expected! That is what a servant does! In the same way disciples are to serve one another, it is also presumed, anticipated and expected! Taking on the responsibilities of a servant is expected of a disciple of Christ because we are to love one another. Our acts of service are to mimic a servant who has no choice but to serve. Serving is who they are, and they are doing what is required of them. Out of love we also have no choice; this is what Jesus’ disciples do! A servant = serves! A disciple = loves! Love = serving! It is not what we do it is who we are! WE SERVE IN LOVE!
Application: My life should resemble Jesus and how he served others. I too am a servant of my Heavenly Father and should follow the example of my Lord. When I serve others I am demonstrating God’s love. I am a servant, I am not just fulfilling a role I am a servant. I need to know how am I to wash someone’s feet today, and when I am told, in love I am to do it!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, Thank you for your example of being a servant, show me today how I am to demonstrate your love by washing another’s feet? Help me to serve you faithfully by my obedience. Thank you Jesus, for your ultimate example of washing my feet: Thank you for dying in my place, suffering for my sin and giving me new life.
