Experience God in Service
Gathered at the Passover feast, the disciples were keenly aware that someone needed to wash the others feet. The problem was that the only people who washed feet were the least and no one wanted to be considered the least. Then Jesus took a towel and a basin and redefined greatness.
Richard Foster
Jesus calls each of us to the ministry of the towel—to a life of service. Such service does not flow from a sense of duty. Such service is not a list of good deeds to be accomplished. Instead, the spiritual discipline of service involves the creation of a heart of service that overflows with love and mercy in everything we do.
We tend to believe that service involves “big” things. Building a house; clothing and feeding a homeless person for a month; mentoring a classroom of at-risk children through school and into college. These are wonderful things, things that might be fueled by Christian love.
But it’s the small acts of service, done regularly, that transform our hearts. Listening before you speak, sharing what you have, putting others before yourself, such service comes from acknowledging that we are children of God and that we behave with one another as God behaves.
Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.
Mother Teresa
12 After Jesus had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord---and you are right, for that is what I am. 14 So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16 Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them.
FOR FIVE MINUTES BE STILL. BREATHE. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN.
What words in this passage out for you?
What message does Jesus have for you?
Whose feet might you be called to wash?
How can your heart serve with joy?
Praying in Service
Jesus help me to serve those around me....
1 If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
FOR FIVE MINUTES BE STILL. BREATHE. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN.
What words in this passage stand out for you?
What questions do you have/?
Where is love missing for you?
What does God want for you?
Praying in Service
Jesus teach me to love as I walk into difficult places.
30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers who stripped him, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him…35 Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”
FOR FIVE MINUTES BE STILL. BREATHE. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN.
What words in this passage stand out for you?
What does Jesus mean to teach about being a neighbor?
What does the robbed man represent?
Where are you to go and do likewise?
Praying in Service
Jesus teach me to meet you in the ditches and fields of service.
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. 4 Let each of your look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. 5 Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form.
FOR FIVE MINUTES BE STILL. BREATHE. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN.
What words in this passage stand out for you?
Is it possible to have the mind of Christ?
What would such a mind be like?
Where is your mind being called to transform?
Praying in Service
Take my mind, O Christ, and make it yours.
34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me….’Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
FOR FIVE MINUTES BE STILL. BREATHE. READ THE PASSAGE AGAIN.
What words in this passage stand out for you?
Why are those on the king’s right hand so very surprised as they receive blessing?
What does this teach about serving others?
When have you seen Christ in the face of those you serve?
Praying in Service
Help me to be surprised in serving you, O Christ.