Reflections

John 13:4-5

4 So [Jesus] got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

This week on Sunday, we were encouraged to see a need and meet it. With help from the resources found on Life Church Open Network, this Sunday’s message challenged us to step up to the plate. Be it an offertory plate, or an empty plate that needs to be filled with food, or a used plate that needs to be washed. How can I serve? We looked at how Jesus defines greatness and contrasted it to how the world defines the greatness.

At the last Supper, Luke tells us of how the disciples argued about who was the G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time). But notice what Jesus did while they were arguing about who was the greatest: He got up, knelt down and washed their dirty feet. We can almost see the contrast: their desire to be great, and Jesus choosing to humble Himself and serve. Their proud hearts and their dirty feet – met by His humility and His willingness to serve. What was Jesus trying to tell them? He only had a few hours left with them, so this was obviously an important lesson that He was trying to teach.

Dirty Feet? I can do that. Leave it to me.

You want to be great? Serve! Find a need and meet it. Find a dirty corner and clean it. Don’t wait to be asked. Step out of your comfort zone and suggest ideas that others may not have thought of. Did you know that when each member doesn’t play their part, the WHOLE CHURCH misses out?

You are needed.

You are wanted.

And Jesus doesn’t stop there. In Luke 22: 22-28 we read, A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. 28 You are those who have stood by me in my trials.

As a church, we have been learning about the kingdom of God and we have been reflecting on the theme Your Kingdom Come. Just listen to how Jesus continues and says in verse 29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

He has just finished telling them that they are supposed to be servants, like Him, and in the next breath, he tells them how He is handing His Kingdom to them – other versions say, He is ’assigning’ it to them, ‘bestowing’ it to them, ‘appointing’ it to them!

He has just finished saying – please be servants – and now he hands them something that by it's very nature, only kings and royals can inherit! Jesus completely redefines what kingdom ruling looks like - it is not about 'lording it over' people, but it is about serving.

Do you see an older person struggling with a heavy load while walking?

I can do that. Leave it to me.

Do you see a family down with sickness and need help with a cooked meal?

I can do that. Leave it to me.

Do you see a financial need that someone has that you can contribute to?

I can do that. Leave it to me.

The values of the Kingdom completely flip the values of this world on its' very large head.

How can you be a servant this week? Find one person. One task. One need.

Get up, kneel down and serve.

He is right there with you – in fact, He has probably already got His holy hands dirty, meeting the need. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s go join Him!