God calls us to serve others.
And if we are being honest, this is not easy.
Why?
Because He often asks us to serve when we would rather not. And who we would rather not.
And even if this is not the case, service always involves sacrifice.
Well, praise be to God that through Jesus, we have examples that can spur us on to serve others.
Let me offer you three of them.
The first instance is when He washed His disciple’s feet:
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him (John 13:3-5 ESV).
The second instance was when He was arrested by the Jewish officials:
When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him (Luke 22:49-51 ESV).
And the third instance is when He asked His Father to forgive those who were executing Him:
And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34 ESV)
Three examples of service. The first required great humility. The second required great compassion. And the third required great understanding, as He prayed for those who had nailed Him to the cross.
And now, as His Church, Jesus wants us to serve others in similar ways. And, as I mentioned, doing so will not be easy. For humility, compassion (for our enemies) and forgiving those who have wounded us deeply does not come naturally to us. So, we must pray that God will help us, no matter what the circumstances, to serve others and glorify Him.
So, let us take to prayer. Because, before we know it, God will call us to serve. And if we haven’t been earnestly seeking the strength to do so, our selfishness will prevail. And this is not the way of Christ.
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Rob