Good morning and welcome to our daily walk!
This week's devotionals are by Justin Morton.
Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/yscvhp
This week we have looked at four different men who all were faithful servants of God. Each had his own difficulty and obstacle to overcome and did. As we begin to bring our week to a close, I want you to think with me for a minute about the greatest servant who ever lived, Jesus Christ.
Matthew record, “"And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:27-28). Jesus Christ was, is and always will be the greatest servant to ever live. Think about all the things that He did. We often read about how He took time to heal those who were sick, eat with those who were considered sinners, and even wept with those who were mourning. Yet, of all the different ways that Jesus was a servant there are two events that stand out in my mind.
The first one is found in John chapter 13. Here we read how Jesus bent down on his knees and washed his disciple’s feet. He even went so far as to wash the feet of the one who was going to betray him, Judas. Many people may be wondering why Jesus, the Son of God, would bend down and wash the feet of His disciples. Shouldn’t they be washing His feet? Jesus gives us the reason for His doing this when He tells His disciples, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (Jn. 13:14-15). The reason that Jesus took the time to perform this act that was meant for a slave, was because He wanted His disciples to see the importance of serving others. If Jesus was willing to serve, so should we be willing to serve also.
Although this act of service was great, there was another incident that has proven to be even greater. It took place over 2,000 years ago when Jesus was beaten and bearing His own cross, went up on that hill and laid down His life for you and me. Paul said, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6). Jesus Christ demonstrated His greatest act of service when He went to the cross and laid down His life in our place. You see, His life was not taken from Him, He gave it willingly. Jesus said, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father" (Jn. 10:17-18).
Jesus, the greatest servant to ever have lived, came to this earth to serve God and others. He made serving others His life. In fact, serving others was the reason that He gave His life. He died so that He could serve you and me. Think about that for a moment. An innocent and just man, was willing to go and suffer pain and humiliation on a cross, the death of a criminal, because He wanted to provide and serve you. His act of service paved a way for you and me to have an eternal home in heaven someday. John wrote, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16). Jesus Christ was, is and always will be the perfect example when it comes to being a servant.
It is my hope and prayer that you will follow in the footsteps of Jesus and become a better and more faithful servant, both to God and others.
Thought of the Day: “They gave Him a manger for a cradle, a carpenter's bench for a pulpit, thorns for a crown, and a cross for a throne. He took them and made them the very glory of His career.” ~W.E. Orchard
May God bless you in your daily walk!
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