Week of Monday August 18 – August 24
Serving Love Convinces – Man as Provider
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34-35 ESV
Imagine being with the disciples and Jesus in that room on the night before the crucifixion, sharing that Last Supper. According to Luke’s account of that night, after the meal, the disciples argued about who was greatest among them (Luke 22:24). John’s account provides an additional detail. Jesus “rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (13:4-5).
This act must have shocked the disciples! It would be like a general stooping down to clean the boots of a group of basic training recruits in the mess hall!
It was so unexpected, and perhaps even embarrassing, especially after the argument about who was greatest, that Peter initially refused to let Jesus wash his feet. But when Jesus told him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me” (13:8), Peter gave in.
Jesus used His act of humble service as a teaching moment for 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 also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (13:14-17).
After Judas left, Jesus spoke about the ultimate act of service He would provide not only for His disciples but also for the whole world through His impending death.
In John’s account of Jesus’ final instructions to His closest friends, we find this challenging directive: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (13:34). The command to love one another was as old as the Mosaic law, but Jesus set a higher standard by asking them to love one another like He loved them. What a tall order! We are called to emulate Jesus, particularly in how we show love to others.
Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (13:35). For Christ followers, the way we love each other is a billboard to the world, shouting the truth that we really do follow Jesus! Think of it, men: some of the last and perhaps most challenging words Jesus shared with His followers called them to love like He loved. Lives like that provide a rock-solid testimony to a lost and dying world that the Bible is accurate, that Jesus died for their sins, and that they, too, can know this amazing Savior personally!
- Do you serve those you love and lead with Christlike humility? What steps can you take to better exemplify this spirit of service to others?
- Can people outside the family of God see Jesus in the way you serve and love your fellow believers?
- Pray and ask the Father to fill your heart with love for those you lead to the point that you are willing to serve and love them like Jesus.
Serving Love Convinces – Man as Provider
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - John 13:34-35 ESV
Imagine being with the disciples and Jesus in that room on the night before the crucifixion, sharing that Last Supper. According to Luke’s account of that night, after the meal, the disciples argued about who was greatest among them (Luke 22:24). John’s account provides an additional detail. Jesus “rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (13:4-5).
This act must have shocked the disciples! It would be like a general stooping down to clean the boots of a group of basic training recruits in the mess hall!
It was so unexpected, and perhaps even embarrassing, especially after the argument about who was greatest, that Peter initially refused to let Jesus wash his feet. But when Jesus told him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me” (13:8), Peter gave in.
Jesus used His act of humble service as a teaching moment for 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 also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them (13:14-17).
After Judas left, Jesus spoke about the ultimate act of service He would provide not only for His disciples but also for the whole world through His impending death.
In John’s account of Jesus’ final instructions to His closest friends, we find this challenging directive: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (13:34). The command to love one another was as old as the Mosaic law, but Jesus set a higher standard by asking them to love one another like He loved them. What a tall order! We are called to emulate Jesus, particularly in how we show love to others.
Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (13:35). For Christ followers, the way we love each other is a billboard to the world, shouting the truth that we really do follow Jesus! Think of it, men: some of the last and perhaps most challenging words Jesus shared with His followers called them to love like He loved. Lives like that provide a rock-solid testimony to a lost and dying world that the Bible is accurate, that Jesus died for their sins, and that they, too, can know this amazing Savior personally!
- Do you serve those you love and lead with Christlike humility? What steps can you take to better exemplify this spirit of service to others?
- Can people outside the family of God see Jesus in the way you serve and love your fellow believers?
- Pray and ask the Father to fill your heart with love for those you lead to the point that you are willing to serve and love them like Jesus.