"So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “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." - John 13:12-15
I saw a wonderful example of a servant the other day - a mother with two special needs children. I was able to witness her amazing devotion as she attended to their every need.
It was an amazing thing to behold, especially when you consider that she does it every day, day after day, without end. She exhibited tremendous love for her children in doing so.
Do we have that kind of love for others, that we would place someone else's needs above our own? Family members, yes. But a stranger?
Devotion, selflessness, obedient, loving, compassionate are a few of the words that describe the characteristics of a servant. Are we any of those? Jesus was, and is, all of the above.
Jesus wants us to be servants. We just read that He is our example.
There is also a difference between a hired servant and one who does so willingly, at no cost to the recipient. I think that is what Jesus wants from us.
One would think then that churches would be absolutely filled with willing servants. Nope. In fact, according to Pew Research, only about 20% of mainline Protestants are highly involved in church activities. 16% for Catholics. The Episcopal church is the worst at 13%. Why so few? Good question.
When asked to serve, do we immediately say 'yes'? Or do we search for excuses for why we can't?
Serving others should be a 100% thing. Not for any particular church, but for our individual hearts. Do you have a servant's heart beating in you?
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