Being a Servant Leader

[Mayflower]

You teach it, Jesus!

Bible Gateway passage: John 13:1-17 - New International Version

John 13:1-17


13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

 

[bbyrd009]

a great analogy for not judging another's "walk" too i guess :)

 

[Truman]

Greatest in the Kingdom of God is the servant of all!

 

[Mayflower]

a great analogy for not judging another's "walk" too i guess :)

Vs. 10-11 was a pretty clear indication of righteous judgement actually.

My question for this would be what would be some practical ways to be a servant these days like Jesus washed His disciples' feet?

 

[Mayflower]

It is interesting, because I had no idea some churches actually washed feet.

The Real Meaning of Foot Washing for Christians

We did this as part of a Sunday School lesson at church for the kids. I believe it is a good lesson of humility and servanthood.

I copied this part from there:


Many Christians like to show their humility and love in other ways that do not require the literal washing of feet. Some churches will promote this to help strengthen the bond within their congregation. Other ways you can symbolically wash the feet of those you want to be of service to include:

-Engage in a random act of kindness
-Leave flowers on a friend’s doorstep
-Call someone just to check in on how they are doing
-Share words of love and appreciation
-Make amends for something you have done that may have been hurtful
-Stand up for those who are unable to do so for themselves
-Support someone, despite if you agree with their choices
-Lend a listening ear to someone going through tough times
-Bring a new person to your church
-Use your God-given gifts in new ways

 

[Mayflower]

Christmas time can be all year. <3

 

[marks]

Vs. 10-11 was a pretty clear indication of righteous judgement actually.

My question for this would be what would be some practical ways to be a servant these days like Jesus washed His disciples' feet?

We just serve each other truly as a servant, and not eschew any good work, even if distasteful, because we love that person more than we dislike the task.

" . . . He loved them to the uttermost."

Much love!

 

[Mayflower]

Got the ladies on my mind. :)

@Pearl @Wynona @FluffyYellowDuck @Rita @Heart2Soul @Angelina @charity @Nancy @TLHKAJ @lilygrace
@VictoryinJesus
@Helen

 

[BlueNightingale]

Vs. 10-11 was a pretty clear indication of righteous judgement actually.

My question for this would be what would be some practical ways to be a servant these days like Jesus washed His disciples' feet?

Had to do this in Celtic Catholic school as part of Maundy Thursday, I believe.

A big part of it was in those times it wasn't like they were wearing sneakers all day. The streets would be filthy, animals crossing over, dirt.. You get the idea.

A big point of it was that it was an act of humility.

So I would say bearing one another's burdens by taking care of one another.

Matthew 25:34-37 is probably the best example, but daily application like just listening to someone is good. Forgiving someone and just listening. Being the peace in the storm, even while someone is a total lightning bolt.

Or if you want to be more physically involved, maybe offer to help a friend, parent or, if you're blessed, an in-law with their dishes after dinner (or just because if they may be under the weather)

Bringing someone sick homemade frozen meals they can heat up.

Watching someone's kids for a day just so they can relax.

Little things can be very big things.

 

[Heart2Soul]

You teach it, Jesus!

Bible Gateway passage: John 13:1-17 - New International Version

John 13:1-17


13 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.”

Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”

9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”

10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.

12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Meeting the needs of others is a very rewarding ministry. And what you pray and do for others God will do for you....and don't be weary of well doing for at the right time you will receive your just reward.
Visiting and caring for orphans and widows is what Jesus called true religion.
When I was at a very low place in my life (just before joining CF) all I could do was just lay around and sleep. Finally I joined a Christian Forum and began to be strengthened...that helped a lot in the beginning...but what helped the most is going around and helping neighbors and friends.
The joy and peace I gained from that is better than a pot of gold....and I was able to witness and pray with them as well.

 

[BlueNightingale]

I'm sorry about all of the typos in that i had to correct - a bit tired.

 

[Heart2Soul]

I have been blessed to have a car given to me...and here lately I feel like a full time Uber driver...I get a call almost every day asking for a ride.
I am happy to do it because as that car was a blessing to me I use it to be a blessing to others.

 

[Mayflower]

I have been blessed to have a car given to me...and here lately I feel like a full time Uber driver...I get a call almost every day asking for a ride.
I am happy to do it because as that car was a blessing to me I use it to be a blessing to others.

That is awesome, Heart2Soul. What a blessing. :)

 

[Mayflower]

I'm sorry about all of the typos in that i had to correct - a bit tired.

I get it. And I like what you said about being the peace in the storm for someone. Sometimes what people just need is someone to listen to them. I've been there myself, we all have. To be on the peace end is a blessing and opportunity.

 

[BlueNightingale]

I get it. And I like what you said about being the peace in the storm for someone. Sometimes what people just need is someone to listen to them. I've been there myself, we all have. To be on the peace end is a blessing and opportunity.

It has taken me a long time to start recognizing when I'm being zapped by a person. Lol

You know what I mean? Sometimes anger has a time stopping effect, and all you know is you're peeved and that feeling. It throws us off.

So I've started learning to just be calm, be peaceful, trust God with it, try to talk logically with a person - even if I disagree.

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Romans 12:20

"Burning coals on his head" could mean like burning the conscience in a persons head, in order to bring remorse and repentance for wrong doing.

Kindness and patience does that well.

 

[TLHKAJ]

It is interesting, because I had no idea some churches actually washed feet.

I've been in many churches that had foot washing services. One church had this every year at New Year's "watch night" services. Tag team preaching, and lots of singing ....and a break for food and fellowship, and foot washing....praying for each other.

 

[BlueNightingale]

@Mayflower I get what you mean, too, being the peace in someone elses storm is a great thing to do and so many of us deal in quiet storms alone, ones nobody else knows about, so it is a huge relief when someone comes around to act as a human umbrella.

 

[farouk]

@Mayflower I get what you mean, too, being the peace in someone elses storm is a great thing to do and so many of us deal in quiet storms alone, ones nobody else knows about, so it is a huge relief when someone comes around to act as a human umbrella.

@FluffyYellowDuck Sounds like you are describing my wife perfectly...

Psalm 46....

 

[farouk]

It has taken me a long time to start recognizing when I'm being zapped by a person. Lol

You know what I mean? Sometimes anger has a time stopping effect, and all you know is you're peeved and that feeling. It throws us off.

So I've started learning to just be calm, be peaceful, trust God with it, try to talk logically with a person - even if I disagree.

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Romans 12:20

"Burning coals on his head" could mean like burning the conscience in a persons head, in order to bring remorse and repentance for wrong doing.

Kindness and patience does that well.

@FluffyYellowDuck Great verse there from Romans 12...

 

[Rita]

Thank you for the Tag and thoughts @Mayflower
When I think of servant I am reminded of what a servant does, all the things that the master either considers beneath him/her or things they simply don’t want to do…..washing feet is not particularly something that certain people would have done in Jesus day.
At work we often joke about it being like ‘ upstairs downstairs ‘ ( old British tv programme but also how it would have been in the past ) as a housekeeper you can ‘ feel ‘ like a servant and ‘ scivvy ‘ ..cleaning toilets and clearing other people’s accidents ( well I work in a care home !!! ) Would be deemed beneath management to sort out. This job teaches you to get your hands dirty for people who expect it, but also for people who would be horrified if they had a grip on reality of what dementia has turned them into. Literally yesterday I was clearing **** that had be smeared all over a room by one of the sweetest ladies you could meet……
Me and a colleague just had to have a joke with one another as we cleared it up as the lady has crones disease so the smell was awful…… it’s not something we liked to do………

So what don’t you like to do ………….that can be a way of considering Jesus’s point. Do something that you consider to be above you to do, or something that would make someones day or environment better but would be a task that would make you squirm ……..
We are individuals, there are many things I would struggle to do, or want to do that another person would find so easy..