The Ultimate Example

“ So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.  For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.  If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”  -John 13-12-17

Imagine a household where everyone serves as Jesus served.  Imagine a church where everyone serves as Jesus served, imagine a country, a world, where everyone serves as Jesus served.  Jesus left us the example of serving, while the world parades an example of taking.  What example will you follow?  

As we progress in life (that being life, as in life lived, and your spiritual life), we will either polarize ourselves to the Biblical truths that were manifested by Jesus Christ, or draw back to the world; the lust of the flesh, the eyes, and the pride of life.  In pressing toward Biblical truths you find yourself becoming less and less like the world, concerning yourself less and less with the things of this world, and ceasing to define yourself among the standards of the world.  This type of growth is not always quick and easy, it can often be quite painful.  As difficult as it may or may not be, it’s necessary that you draw nigh to Jesus, if you wish to live a: peaceful, content, happy, holy life, while here.  The singular Biblical example of Jesus Christ, and his teachings, evidently contradict a great majority of the teaching that you will find in this world.  The world wants you to desire to gratify you, and then sells you on all the things that they have that they claim will do it.  This lie of Satan that is told throughout the ages.  It’s the same lie: “you shall be as gods.”  This lie, is dressed up and repacked throughout the line of time.  However, through it all the core message is lust and pride.  The melody of the song is “it’s all about you”; and though we convenience ourselves that in gaining and getting we will find happiness; here stands Jesus telling us by giving and serving we will find happiness.  Take a minute to consider with me the above scripture.  Jesus, the master of the wind, the Son of God; consider his Resume, his pedigree, all that he knew and could do.  Now take into account the disciples, their Resume, pedigree, and all that they knew.  Yet, Jesus humbled himself and washed their feet.  It’s a gesture of humility, of servitude; this is the example that Jesus left, and the lesson he taught with his life.  Contrast that with the teachings and testimonies of the world today.  Jesus said that “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”  How many commercials do you see on TV saying the same?  How many billboards?  How many magazines, sports writers, news anchors, or college professors?  The clarion call of the world is happy are ye if ye do what’s best for you.  Happy are ye if you indulge yourself; eat, sleep, and rise up to play.  Please, take a step back and look around, do you not see a lot of people who are whole heartily embracing this: Me, Me, and Me theology?  Of those people, how many are truly happy?  Then look at the group of individuals following after the teachings of a man called Jesus (truly following, not just professing or pretending), who left an example to serve, they are happy!  They are filled with joy, love, peace, and contentment.  These are not those that wish to be masters of their own lives, but those that have accepted that they are a servant to all, and to Jesus first of all.

When you find salvation you find service.  Christ lived to serve the Father and his fellow man.  He paid the ultimate price so that we could follow that example.  When we repent, and become sanctified, he fills us with the Holy Spirit which changes our sinful nature and gives us a heart and will to serve.  However, we must cultivate that every day and continually press towards that ultimate example of Jesus Christ.