Daily D – John 13:3

by | Nov 8, 2021 | Daily D | 0 comments

David G Bowman Logo

Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into his hands, that he had come from God, and that he was going back to God.
JOHN 13:3 (CSB)

—————————————————————————
 
Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.
Luke 22:24 
Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be exploited. Instead, he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity. And when he had come as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death — even to death on a cross. 
Philippians 2:5-8

Jesus knew. 

  • The Father had given everything into his hands.
  • He had come from God.
  • He was going back to God.

Knowing this made possible what happened next. 

So he got up from supper, laid aside his outer clothing, took a towel, and tied it around himself. Next, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel tied around him (verses 4 and 5).

Luke tells us that it was in this context that a dispute arose among them over who should be considered the greatest. We can only assume they meant among one another since Jesus was in the room. We can also assume that none of them yielded the firm opinion he held about himself that it was he who was, in fact, The Greatest.

Sure, Peter was The Greatest when it came to impulsiveness. Yet impulsiveness is not the same thing as decisiveness. He was wrong at least half the time. James and John were out because there was anger that seethed within them that could lead to destructive tendencies (Luke 9:54). Mastering the tossing of lightning bolts sounds pretty cool unless they are tossed at you. (Trust me on this.)

Judas no doubt thought he was Top Dog. Who could manage money like him? After all, he supervised the expenditures for the whole team so that they had all they needed when they needed it even as he kept a commission for himself out of everything they received. It was only fair.

On around the table it went. We know this because of what did not happen. Footwashing was a common, everyday, menial task provided at every gathering. Yet no one was there in that upper room to take care of twenty-six dirty feet. And while any owner of two feet in the room would have gladly washed Jesus’ feet, none of them would wash one another’s feet. That would take them out of the running for the title of The Greatest.

So it was that The Greatest stood, removed his outer clothing, took a towel, filled a basin, washed his disciples’ feet, and dried them with the towel. 

As the Apostle Paul reflected on this event, he wrote, “Jesus existing in the form of God” assumed “the form of a servant.” Jesus went to his knees for his disciples when they would not do so for one another. 

Perform a quick search of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) and see how many times Jesus taught that greatness is about great service and not about great standing. Jesus showed them what he had been telling them. It was not the first time he had done so. It would not be the last. 

Knowing that we belong to God and that nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8:37-39) makes it possible for us to lay aside anything and everything that puffs up our pride so that we may serve even those who grumble against us or wish to step upon us on their own ascent to the top, whatever that means.

Knowing that we belong to God and that nothing can separate us from his love empowers us to look up from our knees to see the needs around us more clearly and to know what to do to meet those needs more completely. 

Greatness is not about looking within. Greatness is about looking up. 

Take a knee when you would prefer to take a pound of flesh.

Take a knee when you would prefer to declare your opinion.

Take a knee when you would rather take a stand. 

If your idea about greatness does not include significant service, you have missed the point, you have missed the opportunity, you have missed the heart of Jesus who came from God, returned to God, and wants to take us with him if we will learn to kneel to who he is and to what he wants to accomplish through us. 

Great leaders serve. So do great followers.

—————————————————————————

I will kneel in service so that others may see more of the greatness of Jesus and less of me. 

—————————————————————————

Our Father, I kneel before you now. To whom will you send me to kneel to serve today? I will meet you at their feet. Amen.

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

CONNECT WITH ME!

Interested in learning more about Church Unique or Life Younique? Send a note through the Get In Touch box or Message me through the Facebook link above.

          Church Unique Logo          Auxano Logo

GET IN TOUCH!

READ MY BLOG!

Daily D – Numbers 16:1-3

Numbers 16:1-3 One day Korah son of Izhar, a descendant of Kohath son of Levi, conspired with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth, from the tribe of Reuben. They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, “You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?”

Daily D – Numbers 14:24

Numbers 14:24 “But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land.”

Daily D – Psalm 57:7-8

Psalm 57:7, 8
“My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!
Wake up, my heart! Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.”

Daily D – Numbers 9:17-18

Numbers 9:17, 18 Whenever the cloud lifted from over the sacred tent, the people of Israel would break camp and follow it. And wherever the cloud settled, the people of Israel would set up camp. In this way, they traveled and camped at the Lord’s command wherever he told them to go. Then they remained in their camp as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle.

Daily D – Psalm 56:3

Psalm 56:3
“But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.”