Serving with Priority

John 13:12-20

Peter's resistance to the washing proceeded without further interruption. When Jesus finished washing the disciples feet, He asked them; "Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you."

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 13:12–15.

"He says to them all in effect, though not in words, 'If ye wash not each other, if ye refuse to serve one another in love, ye have again no part with me." This is a hard saying; for if it be difficult to believe in the humiliation of Christ, it is still more difficult to humble ourselves." A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve, pg. 351.

Jesus knew too well how long it would be before the disciples would learn this lesson because they were so contrary to the human heart and what society teaches even today! Think about it: Society teaches that these things in themselves are hard sayings (even sometimes with prejudice) and tells of how hard they are to obtain. In fact they are things which are utopian and impracticable today. But consider this; when knowledge is received, how long does it take before the act of obedience occurs? Or do we in the end become conformed by the world rather than transform it by the power that lives within us?

Bruce explains this with a very insightful thought: "But when he (the Christian) has to close his New Testament, and go away into the rude, ungodly, matter of fact world, and be there a Christ-like man, and do the things which he knows so intimately, and counts himself blessing in knowing, alas, what a descent! It is like a fall from Eden into a state of mere sin and misery. And the longer he lives and the more he gets mixed up with life's relations and engagements, the further he seems to himself degenerate from the gospel pattern; till at length he is almost ashamed to think or speak of the beauties of holiness exhibited therein, and is tempted to adopt a lower and more worldly tone, out of a regard to sincerity, and in fear of becoming a mere sentimental hypocrite like Judas, who kissed his Master at the very moment he was betraying Him." Bruce, pg. 353.

This week I too encountered the real world and the troubles we often fall into. From the onset, I saw great people living by faith and those who had fallen into life's relations and engagements; trying to figure out how they can fix the world and the church. 

This life of faith must be reciprocated in that while we yet believed and are saved, we must build upon it each and every day. Our faith calls for service. It calls for us to serve our fellow man (just as Jesus instructed the disciples) and our church out of our love for Him. It cannot end with the assimilation of thoughts and teachings. This is vanity! It must become a matter of daily practice; even in the realm of this faith journey. If we go on to impress people with our wit or charm, we miss the mark of pleasing Jesus. Bruce says of the world, "Their approbation is at most but a comfort; His is matter of life and death." pg. 354.

This Thanksgiving, would you take the time to serve or thank someone around you for being a part of your life? Would you also serve them without worrying about what others will think of you? Finally; will you lower your wants so that their needs are met? Then you can truly call your thanksgiving time a true thanksgiving!

I pray a special Thanksgiving day over you and your family this season!