Father, Who Is Greater?

"Contrary to popular opinion, the reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated" (Mark Twain). Yes, I am back. Trying to get back to writing after our trip. Had so many things to do. Always something getting in the way. But my commitment remains. By the end of 2009, I plan to have 365 devotions ready for publication; just in case they are worth it. Continuing on...

Over the last several weeks I have been thinking of my own service to Christ and those who follow Him. We try and think that we are serving Him and plenty of things always get in our way. It was never that way with Jesus Christ. He focused His eyes on the Cross and never turned to the left or to the right, but rather became a servant unto death for the Father.

Then this passage of scripture came to mind. "Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. And so He came to Simon Peter. Peter said to Him, Never shall You wash my feet! Jesus answered him, If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me. Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus said to him, He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you" (John 13:5-10 NASB).

I see the Lord teaching a lesson here in servant hood. Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and so we always look to Him as the Savior of the world; that His job is completed through the salvation of many. His job was complete by the shedding of His precious blood. His task complete upon, not only His death on an old rugged cross, but also His miraculous resurrection from the dead. But Jesus came to show us what it is to be a servant.

As the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, the Son of God knelt down to His knees and began washing the feet of the disciples. In their culture, this was a job usually reserved for a slave of the home, a servant. But Jesus was painting a picture for His disciples so they would understand His message. Several times in the New Testament Jesus made reference to servant hood. In Luke 22: 23ff it says, "And there arose also a dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He said to them, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have authority over them are called Benefactors. But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant."

God made flesh, kneeled down to wash the disciples feet. An act of servant hood that would mark history.

I believe that the second lesson that Jesus was trying to explain was that of salvation. Again in verse 10 He said, He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean..." Translation: he who has been saved does not need to be saved again, only forgiven. Here is a classic passage of scripture that verifies that age old argument "Once saved, always saved".

Beyond sacrificing Himself on the cross of Calvary, the most sincere effort that I can see Jesus doing in the New Testament is being portrayed as a "servant" to His disciples. Finally, in verse 12 He says, "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. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."

In the history of the church we have never witnessed more "self-proclamation" than that which we see today. People speak today with so many "I's" in their speaking that you have to wonder if they believe that anything they are saying is validated other than themselves. As "servants" of Jesus Christ, we ought to be "servants" of one another and if that were the case, one would not have time to "puff" himself up.

Have you washed anyone's feet lately? Jesus, your Lord and Savior did! And He did it to show you humility and servant hood. Someone near you desperately needs your services. If your conversation is always centered around you, then perhaps it is time to pour some water into the basin.

Dave