What It Means to Serve (1)

'...Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.' John 13:8 NIV

Good morning everyone,
We Just eneded the series on family values and my prayer is that God has touched each of you in a new way. I'm praying about what God has for us next. I'm getting excited as we see the moving of the Holy Spirit each Sunday. Amy will be sharing on Fathers Day and I always look forward to hearing her speak. So what does it mean to serve? Jesus 'took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist...poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped round Him. He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, "Lord, are You going to wash my feet?"...Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me."...When He had finished...He put on His clothes and returned to His place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" He asked them, "...I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master..."' (John 13:4-16 NIV) Observe two things Jesus taught:
(1) In order to serve God, you must serve others. When Peter objected, Jesus said, 'Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.' To play your part in God's plan you must put others first. What you're doing right now may enrich you personally, but are you serving others and pleasing God?
(2) When it comes to serving, nothing should be beneath you. Can you picture it? Jesus, who was God, stooping to wash the lowest, dirtiest and smelliest part of the body. Keep that picture firmly in mind next time you're asked to do something you don't want to do, or something you think is 'beneath you'. Christ saw so much value in the least, the lost, the last and the lowest that He came to redeem them. And today He wants us to go out of our way to serve one another. How that looks like for you only God can show you. You are loved...