In the evening before being arrested, Jesus performs a profound act of service—he washed the feet of his disciples. In a few hours, Jesus would perform the ultimate act of service—he would give his life as a sacrifice, dying for the sins of mankind. Today, even as you read this, the living Jesus continues his service—he represents you and me before God the Father in heaven.
In washing his disciples feet, Jesus explains he had set an example: those who follow Jesus are called to be servants. We serve God, especially when we serve other people. Often, this service requires sacrifice where one participates in the same lifestyle as Jesus.
The resources that follow help direct a person's life of service.
The Good News Is...
Are you “stirring things up?” You should be—that is, if you are stirring people up to love and good works. The above verse begins with “let us consider how to stir up….” Consideration, then, is where we will begin.
Consider that this instruction is given—not to save us before God—but because Jesus Christ has already accomplished salvation for us. The verses written before those above emphasize that Jesus has opened the way into God’s presence. Jesus is in heaven serving as “a great priest over the house of God,” a house which includes us. Jesus continues to serve and represent and provide for us in his position as priest. Yet, while Jesus is presently in heaven, there is a “Day drawing near” when He is returning for “His house.” Now, in expectation of His coming, you and I are to occupy ourselves in love and good works. We need to encourage and stir each other.
Let this encourage you. There is work to be done—the type of work requiring sacrificial love, time, and energy…work that is more than dropping a few dollars in a collection plate or a pot over the holidays. James 1:27 tells that visiting orphans and widows in their distress is religion that is “pure and undefiled.”
There is not a person reading this who isn’t aware of someone in that situation. James states:
So, let this stir you to meet the physical needs of someone in the community. And, why not help a neighbor who simply would benefit from a helping hand from time to time? Do it as a way of honoring God………and do it in expectation of His return.
Invite someone to your home for a holiday dinner or volunteer your service at a nursing home or at a food pantry. Perhaps someone needs help with mowing a lawn or painting a porch. And, here is a good work—lend your ear to someone who “just needs to talk” and then carry the person’s burden with grace and support.
Get stirred. Stir someone else. Serve together. Put your faith into action……….and as you do so, remember that the Day of Jesus’ return is drawing near.
The Good News Is...
Being a follower of Jesus is far more than saying a “sinner’s prayer,” attending church, and participating in religious ceremonies and traditions. In fact, Jesus never mentions these activities when He describes what it means to follow Him. If we practice these for the purpose of saying, “I’m a follower of Jesus.”, then we need to look with an open mind and heart to what Jesus says.
Jesus said following him means self-denial “taking up one’s cross daily.” Now, we need to make a fine distinction here. Jesus doesn’t say we are to take up His cross; on His cross Jesus denied himself for the purpose of freeing us from sin. That work is done—finished, the price has been paid.
The denial of ourselves—the taking up of our cross—is not an attempt to pay for our sins. To attempt to add payment to what Jesus has already accomplished would be foolishness.
Our denial of self, you see from the verse, is motivated by one’s “desire to come after” Jesus……to follow Him. He has purchased us with His cross; we take up our cross in a desire to show Him allegiance, service, honor, worship, Lordship…discipleship. This distinction is important: we don’t take up our cross” and then call it a price to pay for sin; rather, the denial is a sacrificial act of love for Christ and other people.
Our following, our self-denial, our cross is giving first place in our lives to Jesus. This involves awareness of and obedience to His will as found in the Bible. Yes, this includes putting aside worldly wisdom and worldly lifestyles where they conflict with God’s truth. Yes, it most surely includes our stepping down from our thrones and placing Jesus on it—daily. And, yes, it means standing out in the world as “different,” in a “me-first” world.
Many who claim to be Christians refuse to follow Jesus as he prescribes. Ashamed of Christ, they drift along with the world’s crowd traveling the wide, easy way—the world’s way—that leads to destruction.
Jesus also spoke about this kind of denial—the denial of His name and the refusal to walk as he walked:
We must follow Jesus—regardless how the narrow road requires self-denial.