It was a long day at work. But when I got home, it was time to start my other job: being a good dad. Greetings from my wife and kids soon became, Dad, whats for dinner? Dad, can you get me some water? Dad, can we play soccer?
I just wanted to sit down. And even though part of me really wanted to be a good dad, I didnt feel like serving my familys needs. Thats when I saw it: a thank-you card my wife had received from someone at church. It pictured a bowl of water, a towel, and dirty sandals. Across the bottom were these words from Luke 22:27: I am among you as one who serves.
That statement of Jesuss mission, to serve those He came to seek and save (Luke 19:10), was exactly what I needed. If Jesus was willing to do the dirtiest of jobs for His followerslike scrubbing His followers no doubt filthy feet (John 13:117)I could get my son a cup of water without grumbling about it. In that moment, I was reminded that my familys requests to serve them werent merely an obligation, but an opportunity to reflect Jesuss servant heart and His love to them. When requests are made of us, they are chances to become more like the One who served His followers by laying down His life for us.
INSIGHT
Not only did Jesus model a servants heart, serving was an ongoing theme in His teachingand one that His disciples consistently forgot. In one of Jesuss last public discourses He said, The greatest among you will be your servant (Matthew 23:11). Then in John 13:117 He modeled that attitude by washing the disciples feetembracing a task usually reserved for the lowest servant in the household. However, just hours later, the disciples argued about which of them deserved the highest position! (Luke 22:24). Tragically, this dispute took place as they were walking to Gethsemane, where the events leading up to Jesuss time of suffering would begin.
How does reflecting on the heart of our Master and His call for us to be servants encourage you when you are called to serve others?