Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
September 28, 2022
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! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
If we were asked to create a list of great leaders, what characteristics would we be considering? I doubt that our list would include tyrants, but the list would be defined by the criteria that we chose. Would our list be of those whose leadership style was based on high standards of earthly norms, or would we consider heavenly norms?
One of the greatest challenges that faced the Pharisees and Jewish leaders during Jesus' time on the earth was that all that Jesus was teaching did not remotely resemble the “way” that they had been taught. Over the years, as handed down by generations of leaders, the system had become broken. As leaders tasted the benefits of power, the desire grew for more power so they manipulated the teachings of Moses and the prophets to help them usurp power through which they marginalized those they deemed unworthy.
Let’s return to our task of creating a list. I imagine two very different lists. Our list which highlighted earthly powers might include some leaders that had no regard for the needs of their people. There are earthly leaders whose primary goal is to attain the most land, wealth, and prestige. Think of those who might appear on this list in contrast to those leaders whose goal was to serve their people.
Those power-hungry leaders focus solely on earthly treasures and their rewards will be during their days on earth. Whereas the leaders who focus on the needs of others will receive their rewards in heaven. Jesus came to save us from the brokenness that filled the earth. Thanks be to God. Jesus taught us by example that we are to serve one another with joy in our hearts.
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Thank you for sending your Son to save us. Thank you for caring for us and loving us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Jesus calls me to look beyond earthly divisions and to love all people.
Serve one another! Pastor Liz