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Published: February 4th 2011
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When we were in Ethiopia, one of the most beautiful moments was when the boys on our team....Cole, Andrew, Dave, and Cliff....read John 13: 1-17 (Jesus washes the disciples feet) to the women who had just been rescued from prostitution... and then proceeded to humble themselves and wash the feet of these women.....as Jesus commanded.....
I just finished a fantastic book this evening called "He Speaks to Me" by Priscilla Shirer and was totally inspired and moved by her breakdown of verse 4-5..... and I can't help but share the wisdom God blessed me with this evening through the writing of this woman that I respect so much....
"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." ~John 13:4-5~
In verse 4 alone, Jesus modeled how we are to serve Him and others.....He did 3 things......
1. Jesus GOT UP
* The meal was not even FINISHED... and He got up to wash the disciples feet while they ate
*He made the choice to leave behind His own satisfaction and comfort
and to serve His disciples by performing a
menial task usually reserved for the lowliest servant
2. Jesus REMOVED HIS OUTER GARMENT
* He knew His outer garment was going to be in the way of doing what He needed to do, and He didn't want to do a
mediocre job, so He removed it...
* Lesson: Take off anything that keeps you from serving
EXAMPLES:
*take off your expectations of what you thought your life was going to be like
* take off an uncomfortable or nice outfit that you don't want to get "dirty"
* take off your love affair with materialism
* Strip off the need to be compensated, rewarded, or thanked by others when you serve them
* Get rid of the bitterness over what someone has done to you
Think about it...Jesus KNEW Judas was going to betray Him, BUT HE STILL WASHED HIS FEET
3. Jesus GIRDED HIMSELF WITH A TOWEL
* If you are trying to discover what God has called you to do, just look at what's in your hand - THAT'S THE
TOWEL He's given YOU to wash the feet of the people He will put in your path....
* 1 Cor 12:7 says that each of us has been given very unique and specific tools to use in our service to others...
..... maybe the reason you find it so difficult to serve in the capacity you're in right now is because you've been rummaging around in somebody else's toolbox and come up with the wrong tool....
My friend....... Jesus wanted to make it very clear to His disciples what servanthood REALLY looks like....and after He showed us, He COMMANDED we do that same...... If that's the case, then we need to ask ourselves these questions...... Am I willing to GET UP from the table of my own comfort and serve? Am I willing to TAKE OFF whatever it is that is hindering me from serving Christ with everything that I am? Am I willing to USE THE UNIQUE TOOLS God has blessed ME with?
Love you all!!!! Just wanted to share my heart this evening.....
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