The Greatest Motivation For Service Series

Think of the time when somebody did an act of service for you which makes a lasting impact on you? What was the reason for it to be so impactful? Possibly, you were impacted because it was a genuine gesture of love and sacrifice.

LOVE

The gospel writer John narrates an account of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet in John 13: 1– 15. Jesus and his disciples gather in person’s house to celebrate the Passover feast together. Jesus knows that his time has come for him to go back to the Father by the way of the cross. He will be soon handed over to the Roman authorities that night and then be crucified on the following day. This will be the final opportunity for Jesus to show the twelve disciples his love for him. At such a crucial time, how does “Jesus love his disciples to the end” (v. 1)?

Suppose you hear a news of someone who is going to betray you, will you be tempted to treat him/her differently? What will Jesus do? Our Lord has foreknowledge what is going to happen on that night. At the dinner, Judas has resolved in his heart to betray Jesus (v.2). And a couple of hours later, Peter will deny him repeatedly (specifically three times). The rest of disciples will not fare any better. They will all flee to save their own lives, leaving Jesus to be left alone. Despite knowing what is going to happen that night, Jesus’ love for every one of his disciples does not change. The act of washing his disciples’ feet was his way of conveying his deep love to each of them. He includes even Judas and Peter. No one has been left out that night.

FORGIVENESS

When it is Peter’s turn to have his feet washed, he stopped Jesus with a question. He wants to know why Jesus wants to wash his feet. Jesus explains that for Peter to be a partaker of his forgiveness and grace, he must be washed by Jesus from his sinfulness (v. 8 & 9). This is because Jesus has come to be the Saviour of the world.

Jesus desires to be our personal Saviour, he has come to remove the filthiness of sin from our conscience. Do you come to him daily to confess your sins and ask him to wash them away? When you do, you will experience a renewed joy and peace, because the Saviour has cleansed you from the burden of your sin, guilt and shame.

SERVICE

The love that Jesus has for his disciples motivates him to wash the feet of his disciples. During that era, this is the role of a domestic servant who washes the feet of the guests when they are entering a house. Jesus does not consider this task to be too menial or lowly. He will not allow such thoughts to stop him from demonstrating his love. His love for you and me is the same he has for them. Dear friends, have you received our Lord Jesus’ love for you? Will you say a prayer now to thank him for his love for you?

Jesus says that he has set an example for us to follow (v14 -15). This is his example: he loves and therefore he serves. We must not serve grudgingly or out of compulsion. If our Lord Jesus humbles himself to serve others, we must also serve one another in love. Do you serve out of duty and obligation? Or out of your love for Jesus and fellow believers in Christ?

When we are look around us, it is not difficult find opportunities to serve God and his people. Take hold of these opportunities whenever they appear and do not let them pass you by. When we apply the teaching of Jesus in our lives, we will be blessed (v.17). Moreover, when we serve a fellow believer, Jesus says that we are doing it as though we are doing for him (Matthew 25:40).

May you experience the joy and peace of our Saviour Jesus Christ and have his blessings as you serve him and the Body of Christ.

DAILY MEDITATIONS:

Monday: John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Tuesday: John 16:24

“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”

Wednesday: 1 Corinthian 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”