“ 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.
