PRAISING GOD FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING OTHERS

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet - John 13 (NIV)

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.

The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"

Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."

"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."

"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"

Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

This morning I'm praising God for allowing me the opportunity and privilege to serve others. I have the privilege to serve as a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend and as a leader in the singles community at my church.

Jesus Christ gave us the loving example of a servant's heart. Sometimes, I don't feel that I am worthy to serve. I will admit that it is often easier to serve complete strangers than to serve family and close friends. I'm working on this, asking God to humble me further. I need the constant reminder of the Cross. I fix my compass on the Lamb. I praise God for his generosity that he has called my heart and given me such an orchard to work. I will never forget these days of my life. Service to others in Christ's name is part of my foundation in Him that I hope to build on for the rest of my life.