Service: It's a Dirty Job, but Someone's Got to Do It!

When I was growing up, I had many "opportunities" to participate in good old fashioned "feet washing" services. Generally, this took place during another church tradition - the dreaded "Watch Night Service," where the saints gathered on New Year's Eve to send out the old year and focus on the Lord's return by getting our lives right with Him. As a kid and teenager, I honestly did not look forward to any of this. I was creeped out by having to wash some older lady's feet, and I was scared to death that Jesus was coming back when I had so much more living to do! Just the thought of the old hymn "He's Coming Soon" still sends shivers up my spine!

But I'm all grown up now and have many years of perspective on what the saints of the church were doing back in the day, especially in regard to washing each others' feet - they were following the example set by Jesus - and just as I can vividly recall how I felt as we watched for Jesus' return, I have very distinct and lasting impressions of what happened when folks bowed before each other and washed the feet of individuals with whom they lived life on a daily basis. The men and women were separated during this time. I remember how something in the room changed as we prepared for this sacred ceremony. These women became so broken before each other and before the Lord as they knelt over their sisters' feet and wept and prayed for them. It was humbling to have their feet washed by another and to in turn, wash that person's feet. All pretense went by the wayside as they followed the Lord in this act of service and love. My memories are clear of these times. As they followed the example of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came into that place and met with them in a powerful way. No one left unchanged. They left prepared to watch and pray (Matthew 25:13; Mark 14:38) and continue to serve their Lord.

In John 13, Jesus shares Passover with his disciples. He knows that in a few short hours, he will be crucified and that his return to Heaven is imminent. He knows that in his midst is one who will betray him, and he knows that the other men with whom he's shared life will run, fearful of being associated with him in his death. He knows all this and still he serves each of them by washing their feet, a job that is reserved for a servant. Peter protests (John 13:6,7) because he doesn't understand the significance of Jesus' act. Jesus reminds his disciples - and that includes any of us claiming to be followers of Christ - that they are to follow his example (Matthew 13:15) of humility and service to others. John 13 ends with Jesus saying, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (v. 34-35).

As Christians we often struggle with the notion that we are sent to serve (John 13:16), and I wonder if we sometimes forget that our service is to extend to our brothers and sisters in Christ - the Church. Not only are we to show Christ's love to the sinner, we are to pour out that love on each other as believers. We are admonished throughout the New Testament to support each other in love (I John 4: 11; I John 3:18; I Corinthians 13:1; Colossians 3:12-17; Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 5:1-2). When we fail to show God's love to those whom we call brother and sister, we send a strong message to those who don't know the Lord, and we tear down the work of the Church. We are disobedient.

I can't say that I love the thought of humbling myself to do the job of a servant, but if I am to be like Christ (aka Christian), then that's exactly what I am going to do. I will put others before myself and be obedient to the One who I am called to serve. 

Satisfaction comes when we do a job well, especially if the task before us seems particularly unappealing. As individuals who have chosen to serve God, we will only know the peace and joy He promises when we discipline ourselves to follow his example and serve. The reward of genuine heart-felt service to others is knowing God's blessings (John 13:17; James 1:25).

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men...." Ephesians 6:7

Lord, this whole notion of being a servant runs counter to my nature, yet I know you set the example, and you have made it clear that if I am to be your disciple, I will follow your example and serve. Please help me to be ever aware of opportunities to show your love to others - those who know you and those you don't. I pray that people will be able to see you in me and that you will be glorified. May my life honor you. Amen. 

 

Service: Getting to Know the Neighbors

Last week, I spent my vacation surrounded by "gated communities." The condo where I stayed literally was tucked away deep inside one of these communities, a forgotten by-product of the original weekenders who built homes on the lake as respite from the drudgery and distastefulness of the big city. There was one way in and two ways out, but you had to be a card-carrying member of the community to exit from the more convenient gate. Mine was a modest "neighborhood" compared to the others that lay farther up the road, and seriously, there really was only one road in and out. The farther a person drove up the road, the smaller and more exclusive the "communities" became. I didn't know my "neighbors," and they didn't know me!

On my return home, I sat down to review what our kids at church are learning this month. I found it not the least bit ironic that we are going to be discovering what it means to serve - lending a hand to help someone else. Just as last month, the questions put to the kids this month are ones most adults are uncomfortable answering. Just for starters, I had to ask myself two toughies - What in the world am I doing that's more than I have to do, and what am I doing to help someone that others won't help. I'm not the least bit surprised that the Lord's been working on me anyway about being a servant, so this study is just reinforcing the fact that he's trying to get my attention and teach me something!

The Bible is unequivocal about what service looks like for a Christian. We don't have to look any farther than Jesus' life. He is the perfect example of a servant, and we have clear instructions to be like Christ. Too often, though, we are much like a young lawyer who challenged Jesus to define "neighbor" because he was looking for a loophole, a good excuse to serve only folks of his choosing (Luke 10:25-29). Rather than take him to task, Jesus told a parable of a good Samaritan (someone not welcomed in the "gated communities" of Jesus day). Two men - both religious leaders - who should have taken the time to stop and care for a man who had been robbed, beaten, and left for dead, literally crossed the road to avoid coming near the injured man. The third man, the Samaritan, came along, saw the man and "...had compassion on him" (Luke 10:33). He dressed his wounds, placed him on his "beast," and took him to an inn where he paid for the man's care. Jesus then posed the question to the young lawyer, "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor..." to the injured man (Luke 10:36). In Matthew 25:35-40, we're told that if we are inherit the kingdom prepared for us, we are to minister to the hungry, thirsty, needy, prisoners, and strangers. Not only are they our neighbors, they are called by Jesus, "...the least of my brethren" (Matthew 25:40).

This parable isn't new to me; I've heard it preached and read it more times than I can count. I think I ought to have it figured out by now who my neighbor is - pretty much everyone, even people I don't find attractive, likable, or safe. When I read it this time, I realized that the Samaritan was compassionate because he saw himself in the man left for dead. Both the priest and Levite saw this man, as well as the Samaritan, as undesirable, not fit for their "community" and certainly not worthy of their help. 

I have to remind myself that all of us are alike - we are sinners saved by the same grace that God gives unconditionally (Ephesians 2:8-9). All of us have been "robbed and beaten" by sin that has left us near dead. God's incredible compassion and mercy made sure that we had a means of rescue - salvation as a result of the service Jesus did for us on the cross. He gave his life that we might live. He paid the full price for our restoration. So, when I look at the people around me, I must be moved to compassion as the Samaritan man was because I should see myself in them. They are my neighbors, and I have a directive from my heavenly Father to serve them. 

Initially, we are drawn to Christianity because of Jesus' example - he was a servant. We are slower, though, to grasp that as followers of Christ, we are to become like him (Ephesians 2:10). We always will serve someone or something (Matthew 6:19-21,24). The desire of our hearts should be, then, to serve in such a way that we honor God by helping our neighbors.

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men..." Ephesians 6:7

Lord, you know me! You know that going the extra mile and serving people - even ones I know and love - just doesn't come easy to me. You also know that I want to be like you. Thank you for understanding my weaknesses and for giving me so many opportunities to learn to be a servant. I pray that I will allow your Holy Spirit to lead me, prompt me, teach me, and convict me when I am disobedient. Use me, Lord. I want to be your servant. Amen.