Thursday, April 17
Exodus 12:1-4, 5-10, 11-14
Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
John 13:1-17, 31b-35
How Much of a Servant Must I
Be?
“…Jesus
knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come
from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his
outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he powered
water in a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with a
towel that was wrapped around him…” John 13:5
I read that when Jesus started to wash the feet of
his disciples, one of them called Peter felt that Jesus was out of his way
because it should have been the disciples to wash Jesus’ feet rather he wash
theirs. Jesus responded to Peter that to have a relationship with him (Jesus)
means to submit to that fact of humility in service. It is a very uncomfortable
fact to humbly serve those who are under you whether children, employees,
volunteers, men and women of all ages and off all races and of all various
social status. As I think more deeply about this act of Jesus, I ask: How much
of a servant do I need to be? If he as God in the flesh was willing to be so
humble and serve like this, doesn’t it mean that I have to become humble and
serve in this way so as to glorify God? Is this not a principle of selfless
service? May God help us to know that greatness in the kingdom of Heaven
doesn’t come from taking the position of honor but that it is the servant hood
attitude like that of Jesus that bestows on us honor. Yes, like Jesus was
glorified to sit at the right hand of God!
The Rev. Dr. Israel
Ahimbisibwe
Assistant Rector, Holy Spirit
Episcopal Church, and
Faculty Member and Parent, Holy Spirit
Episcopal School