Servanthood

[Marsha Gupton]

used by permission from www.upperroom.org



SERVANTHOOD
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John 13:5-17 (NRSV)

Then [Jesus] poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and
to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. He came to Simon Peter,
who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus answered, "You do
not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." Peter said to him,
"You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no
share with me." Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my
hands and my head!" Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to
wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not
all of you." For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not
all of you are clean."

After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the
table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? You call me
Teacher and Lord -- and you are right, for that is what I am. So if I, your Lord
and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.
For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you.
Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are
messengers greater than the one who sent them. If you know these things, you are
blessed if you do them.

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Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is
a messenger greater than the one who sent him."
- John 13:16 (NIV)
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DURING our recent pilgrimage to Mozambique, we had several potluck meals
provided by the congregations of the churches we visited. After we offered
thanks to God, members of the congregation would come by with a kettle of water
and a towel to allow us to wash our hands. It was a service that they provided
with true joy.

Seeing this, I recalled how Jesus washed the disciples' feet before the Last
Supper. Jesus' point was not just to teach hospitality but to illustrate the
meaning of servanthood. I thought about the volunteer work I have done and what
motivated me. Jesus was saying that we are not to serve others just when we
choose to do so but that our identity is to be a servant.

God calls us to servanthood. We are to be God's instruments, working at God's
direction. Our reward is the abundant life God brings as we experience the
fruit of the Holy Spirit that results from our serving. I find myself being
called out of my comfort zone into servanthood for God. Before, I thought of
Christian service as a burden; now I see it as a blessing.

Prayer: Help us, O God, to be your servants. Show us how we can find true joy
in serving you. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
We are called to live continually as servants.

-- Mark Hrabe (Arizona, U.S.A.)

PRAYER FOCUS: To have the heart of a servant

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I preached on that passage last Sunday, and tonight we are having a foot washing prior to our Maundy Thursday communion service!

http://www.alvinnazarene.org/ra/foot-washing.m3u

[Paul Whitaker]

Scott, I listened to your file on "washing feet". I found it touching.

Thanks.

Now I know what you sound like.

[Virginia Stimer]

Scott,

Thanks for sharing with us. I have never been in a foot washing service but I heard the report that when the Western Highlands District in Papua New Guinea divided to provide for the formation of the new Bromley District there was foot washing as a part of that service. As I remember it, the District Supt. and the pastors of the new district were seated and the District Supt. of the Western Highlands District washed their feet.

I liked your emphasis on servanthood. I really think that is what D.S. Andrew Aukus had in mind when he washed those feet. The Western Highlands District in PNG was the first to become a regular district which to me makes what Andrew did even more an act of servanthood.

Wish I could visit your service tonight.


Virginia

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Scott, I listened to your file on "washing feet". I found it touching.

Thanks.

Now I know what you sound like.

Thanks, Paul and Virginia, glad to know someone listens! I post the sermons to our church website, usually while lunch is being prepared following Sunday morning church.