Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
September 19, 2021
Read John 13:1-17
1 Before the Festival of Passover, Jesus knew that his time had come to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them fully. 2 Jesus and his disciples were sharing the evening meal. The devil had already provoked Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew the Father had given everything into his hands and that he had come from God and was returning to God. 4 So he got up from the table and took off his robes. Picking up a linen towel, he tied it around his waist. 5 Then he poured water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he was wearing. 6 When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You don’t understand what I’m doing now, but you will understand later.” 8 “No!” Peter said. “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t have a place with me.” 9 Simon Peter said, “Lord, not only my feet but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus responded, “Those who have bathed need only to have their feet washed, because they are completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not every one of you.” 11 He knew who would betray him. That’s why he said, “Not every one of you is clean.” 12 After he washed the disciples’ feet, he put on his robes and returned to his place at the table. He said to them, “Do you know what I’ve done for you? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you speak correctly, because I am. 14 If I, your Lord and teacher, have washed your feet, you too must wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example: Just as I have done, you also must do. 16 I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. 17 Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.
Good Morning! No Greater Love
I am eagerly anticipating the fall temperatures that are predicted to return this week. I love each season for its own special place in our cycle of life, but after a hot summer even the thought of cooler days makes me sigh and thank God.
Jesus, our Lord and Savior, taught us how to live our lives as Christians. In the story of the feet washing, we are reminded that we must humble ourselves before Christ and our family and neighbors as well. I assure you, servants aren’t greater than their master, nor are those who are sent greater than the one who sent them. 17 Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.
We are called to serve our Lord and Savior with gladness in our hearts. Fulfilling this call doesn’t mean that we serve out of obligation. For when we act purely because we know that is what we’re supposed to do, those feelings of superiority come flooding to the surface as we try to maintain our power over one another.
Jesus shows us through his example of washing the feet of his disciples that our actions must come from love and in response to our gifts. When we serve, we do so because we want to, not out of a sense of obligation. We serve with the love, peace, and joy that lives within us.
No one is too insignificant to receive God’s love, so we share freely with all we encounter. In serving, you will receive unimaginable blessings. Only God knows the remarkable beings who reside within each child hidden beneath the dirt, the tattered clothing, or crazy hair. When we give others the opportunity to experience love, amazing gifts may be revealed.
Loving God, Thank You for loving us. Help us in our quest to be like Jesus. We sometimes allow our deep-seated ideas to make judgments on who is worthy to receive your love. May we learn to freely humble ourselves to others in your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Jesus, our master and servant, loves all who call on Him.
Serve with love! Pastor Liz
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