Opportunity and Preference

Daily Reading: John 13

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13.3-5)

Devotional Thought: Jesus met with his disciples for the Passover meal.  Before the meal started, however, Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.  It didn’t bother Jesus to do this menial task.  After all, he came to serve and not be served!

John’s explanation of why Jesus was able to humble himself in this way is instructive:

·       Jesus knew that the Father had given all things into his hands.  All that was his Father’s, Jesus knew was his as well.  Jesus "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2.6-7)

·       Jesus knew that he had come from God.  Prior to his coming to earth, Jesus had spent an eternity with his Father.  They were in perfect fellowship and communication.  He not only had insider knowledge, he had insider experience.  They had worked together!  Jesus had great confidence from all those memories with his Father.

·       Jesus knew that he was going back to God.  When they had made their plans, the Father and the Son had worked out all the details.  Jesus knew that he would rise from the dead.  He knew that he would return to the Father.  He didn’t have to worry about his destiny.  No matter what he went through on earth, no matter what he suffered in pain or lost in dignity – he was going back to that perfect union with his Father.

Everything that is true about Jesus on a divine level is true also for you and me on a human level.  God has given us all things.  We have come from him.  We are going to him where we will spend eternity with him.  That sets us free to serve just the way Jesus did!

Prayer: Father, help me to be a servant like Jesus.  Crucify my pride and sense of entitlement.  Give me opportunities and a preference to serve rather than be served.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 37.1-6

1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!

2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.