To Quietly Serve

Scripture – John 13:1-5: It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 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 into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) What a scene! Jesus was totally and completely in control. From here on out, “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power.” He loved these disciples of His and He was now going to show them “the full extent of his love.” While I suspect that involved far more than what would happen in this room, he began by washing their feet. That’s an act that fit within their culture. That is, it was not unknown to them. It would not have been as weird as it seems to us. What was clear and strange was Jesus doing the washing. That’s not what a teacher would do.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) What’s a parallel today? How can I follow that example? Maybe the example is in the attitude that no job or act is too small to do for someone else, nor am I too big to do it. I’ll look for some ways I can serve people today – especially people I know and love. Jesus didn’t say anything. He just acted. So will I.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Help me see how to follow your example, Lord. I know there are opportunities all around. Give me a loving, humble attitude to quietly serve others without drawing attention to myself. Forgive my arrogance. Thank you for serving me.