Sacrificial Service
Hey guys! Pastor Ryan here today...
As we posture our bodies, minds and heart toward the end of this season together, it's crucial that we engage the darkest hours along with our Messiah Jesus. Someone once told me that many Christians love to speedily jump ahead to the resurrection, which is the true hope for all creation! Yet, in order to get to the resurrection, we must journey through the crucifixion. Death brings forth life!
Jesus, the greatest Rabbi ever to walk the face of the earth sat down with his disciples for their final meal as a family on the night of his betrayal. This final Passover meal, in which Jesus would have re-enacted the long story of our great God who delivered the Hebrews from slavery, was different from any other night. Jesus mentioned that there would be trouble & heartache, and that his own disciples would abandon him. Confusion and questions lingered at the table as Jesus spoke of his body & blood being broken and poured out in the course of this mysterious meal.
Yet, the most bizarre turn of events, which foreshadowed what was to come, included a towel and a basin...
Read & Feed: John 13:1-17
Journal: So, what is greatness to Jesus?
Greatness is all about washing smelly feet! Washing his disciples feet was a foreshadowing of what was to come the next day when he would put his life on the cross for the sins of the world! There's no glory in it whatsoever! It's the last thing I would think of doing before a nasty death. Still, Jesus chose downward mobility. His story of greatness reaches its height both as a servant washing feet and as a suffering servant on that cruel Roman cross.
Let's challenge one another to identify with Christ on the road to the cross today. Washing feet is cleaning toilets. It's taking out your neighbor's trash, mowing their lawn or simply being inconvenienced with something you don't want to do! Washing feet is a sign that you "get it." This is the road less traveled. Yet, it's the road we are to take to freedom, love and true community. It's the road where we become like Jesus and die to self.
Which areas of your life do you need to "die to self" today?
How can you take the posture of a servant today at work, school or home?
Pray: Father, I thank you for sending your Son to show us the Way! Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice, and for showing us what it means to live a life of freedom. Help us to die to our flesh, and become more like you in every way. Give us the discipline to wash feet, be inconvenienced and love the way you loved today. Amen
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So many messages about serving others. Doing what's hard. Not doing what the flesh wants.
Lord, help me. I know I can be extremely self-focused. Even this morning getting mad at Jonathan for moving the comb. Not hearing your still small voice when you warn me about things. If my eyes weren't always so much on what I WANT rather than what it is that You want me to do, my life wouldn't be in such disarray. Lord, I don't want to be in this place a year from now. I long to be in a more disciplined, more giving, servant-hearted place. Show me how. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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