When is the last time you received service that went “above and beyond”? It’s likely you were treated with kindness, spoken to with respect, and/or given a bit more than you expected.
Who or what are you imagining?
Is it a customer service rep? Waiter? Barista? Financial Advisor? Friend? Neighbor? A brother or sister in Christ?
Now, picture Jesus–the King of Kings and Lord of Lords–kneeling on hard ground and using His own two hands to wash the dust-covered feet of 12 men.
Can you see it in your mind’s eye?
The apostles’ reaction was utter astonishment. Such a thing was unheard of! A great teacher serving his pupils? It just wasn’t done! They were accustomed to prominent men and women demanding service, not giving it.
This was not the only time He had served others. Jesus often sacrificed His own time of prayer (and sleep) to teach, to heal, and even to save from a violent storm. He didn’t hesitate to rebuke people who needed correction. He never failed to show compassion to individuals who were despised by society. Finally, He died to bring life to those who were lost.
What qualities do you see when you consider Jesus’ service?
Here are a few that come to mind:
- Humility
- Self-sacrifice
- compassion
- love
- mercy
- grace
- kindness
- willingness to give up personal time and space
- immense patience
- desire to please God
This is the kind of service you and and I are called to imitate.
In this month’s plan, we will read through passages that focus on serving. Since Jesus is the ultimate example, take time to consider how each passage reflects the selfless service He gave during His life and how it was magnified in His death.
I hope you’ll join us this month and share your insights! Be sure to drop by the Elihu’s Corner Facebook or Instagram (@elihuscorner) pages to share what you’ve learned in your studies!
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Special thanks to Sarah McBroom and Liz Smith for their help in this endeavor each month!
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