Servanthood - A Blessing from God

Do you ever have one of those moments when it feels as if God has just smacked you upside the head...in a good way?  Kind of like a kid who gets a flick of the ear or a strong tap on the shoulder when his or her behavior is not quite in line.

Going through the book of John with my Blue Line Bible Study friends, we read yesterday about Jesus washing the disciples' feet.  As I re-read the scriptures, I was again reminded how loving our Lord is.  At the beginning of what would be the darkest hours in His life, He humbled Himself and took on the lowliest job - that of a servant.  We read:

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.  Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water in to a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:2-5

Can you just imagine how the conversations between friends suddenly stopped.  I'm sure the room grew quiet as they watched their beloved teacher and Lord kneel down; one by one washing the dirt and filth from their feet.

But it didn't stop there.  Not only did He wash those of his devoted followers, but even his greatest enemy at the moment...Judas...the one who would betray him and set into motion the horrific events to take place later that night and into the following day.

As He carefully washed the world's grime off of this man's feet, what was being displayed?  What possibly went through the thoughts of Judas, as the Savior - a man he had sold for 30 pieces of silver, did this final act of kindness for him? 

What does this passage say to us today?

Each of us, no matter our standing in the community, church or in our own home, should imitate the humility shown to us through the act of Christ here in the upper room.  Not only should we bless and serve those we love who will in turn bless us, but also those whom seek to devour us...make trouble....and even betray our greatest confidence.  Those are the moments we can have the most impact for Christ in this darkened world.  When we can display love in the face of evil; restraint in the ugliest of times.

For officers, I often see this type of unselfish behavior.  The badge they wear does not guarantee they will be treated with respect or decency.  More-often-than-naught, response from those they come in contact is just the opposite.

Yet, they are there to serve.  To help where needed.  To lend a hand in kindness.  To get dirty or wet or cold when the situation arises.

As I focus on these words along with Jesus' command to do likewise, I zoom in on His closing statement in verse 17, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them."

Blessings.  Do we not want them?  Are they not those golden nuggets of God's favor that we so long for?  Well...when we give ourselves to others in service, we receive ten-fold back in God's blessing book.  Maybe not monetarily or noteworthy by worldly standards, but these things are never overlooked or forgotten by the One who sees everything.  It is in these simple moments that we cause the God of the universe to simply...smile.

I pray today you will take time out of your busy schedule to help someone in need or encourage a fellow sojourner along this crazy path of ours.  Jesus guarantees us that we will be blessed!


Working for Him,
Kristi