This week’s suggested reading: John 13
This week’s question(s) to ponder: Spend some time this week making a list of scriptures that define your identity in Christ. Then commit to meditating on those truths. Which characteristics of your identity in Christ do you want to focus upon in this season of your life?
Jesus knew first. Then he served.
John 13 opens with the scene described as “The Last Supper.” Other biblical authors detail their perspectives of this same dinner in Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 22:7-38, and 1 Corinthians 11:23-25. (I encourage you to take some time to read the different perspectives of this dinner.)
We learn some key things right away from this John text, “1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, 3 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, 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. ” (John 13:2-4, emphasis is mine.)
I wasn’t going to include this point in my commentary. But on my final read of the text before hitting publish on this post, this thought jumped out at me, “Jesus knew.” Jesus knew his hour had come to die. He knew that the enemy had already enticed Judas to betray him. And he knew where he had come from and where he was going. Then he served.
Knowing our identity in Christ is foundationally vital to serving others in this world. Yes, there’s an enemy of God. Yes, he prowls around seeking to devour. Yes, there are enemies of God inciting evil on this earth – terrible evil. But knowing who we are in Christ and the authority we have in him gives us the boldness and strength we need to serve others in this dark world.
Jesus knew. Then he served.
If we’ve put our faith in Christ, we have been forgiven of our sins. (All of them.) That means that shame has no home in us. If we’ve put our faith in Christ, we have been sealed with the Holy Spirit. That means we’re permanently marked as God’s child. If we’ve put our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit of God is there to empower and guide us as we walk out our faith with authority on this planet. That means we don’t have to fear. And if we’ve put our faith in Christ, we are heading to our forever home with God. That means this world is not our ultimate home.
Finding our footing in our identity in Christ must be foundational to our walk of faith. Throughout Scripture we learn more and more of what it means to be a child of God. If you’re struggling with fear, worry, or anxiety (red flags we’re meditating on untruths), I encourage you to spend some time asking God to speak directly to that area of your life. Ask him to show you from his word how your identity as a follower of Christ can abolish the fear this world tries to feed you. Believe me, I wrestle with my own heart before the Lord on a regular basis when worry tries to set in. Remembering what’s true about our identity in Christ literally empowers us to serve those around us with joy and strength.
If you’ve never done my thought life challenge, this is a good exercise if you’ve been struggling with fear or worry. Click here and I’ll send it to you via email.
Jesus gave us the example of a servant-leader. Now, go do likewise.
The seating at this last supper, based upon cultural norms, had hierarchical symbolism. Jesus would have been sitting at the most important seat at this U-shaped table called a triclinium. (You can do a quick Google search if you’re interested in learning more about a triclinium.)
It was also customary to provide water for guests to wash their feet before eating. Remember, they wore sandals and walked nearly everywhere. Feet were filthy. (Think “7-11 feet” if you’re from my era.) Typically the lowest servant in the home would take on this menial, and dirty, job of washing the feet of guests.
But Jesus flipped things completely upside down.
Jesus, the honored guest at the most honorable seat, took off his outer garment, put on a towel, knelt down, and washed the filth off of his disciples’ feet. He took on the role of the lowest servant. He bent low, humbled himself, and served in love.
Then he says to them, “14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. 16 Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Blessed are we if we do them.
Blessed are we if we do them.
Blessed are we if we do them.
Blessed. That word in the Greek means “supremely blest, fortunate, happy.” (see Strong’s Concordance, G3107). It seems counterintuitive, but Jesus gave us the example to follow. And he says we experience blessing when we humble ourselves, bow low, and serve those around us…especially when we are in a leadership position.
A godly leader humbles him or herself and serves those around him or her in love. A godly leader doesn’t demand fanfare and praise. A godly leader doesn’t flaunt its power or step on others to get there. Those are all marks of a very insecure, self-aggrandizing leader.
Willing, humble, loving servitude marks a godly leader following in the footsteps of Jesus.
As we’re given positions of honor or influence in this world, the temptation to want the praise of man will knock on our heart’s door. It will. The temptation to see ourselves as “better” than others will come knocking. It will. But Jesus gave a clear example. To lead in a way that reflects him means bending low and serving others in love, especially those that it might be tempting to label as “lesser than.”
Father, forgive us.
Love marks a follower of Jesus.
Love. Humble love. Selfless love. Sacrificial love. Love is the mark of a follower of Jesus. “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
As we’re walking out our faith on this earth, we need a discerning spirit. Not everyone who says they follow Jesus actually follow Jesus. <– Read that again. And we are instructed to evaluate others, not as a means of judgment but as a means of caution.
Jesus warns us in Matthew 17:15-23, “15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 17:15-23)
I’ve noticed in our culture that some people will blindly follow leaders simply because they say the word “Jesus.” But Jesus is very, very clear that we are to “watch out.” We’re instructed to observe the fruit in people’s lives before we give ourselves over to supporting or following certain leaders. There is great wisdom in evaluating someone’s life and choices – the fruit of their beliefs – before trusting their leadership.
Humble, sacrificial love marks a follower of Jesus. It’s that simple.
Zeal doesn't equate to faithfulness.
I love Peter. I get Peter. I tend to be a bit on the passionate side. (Ask my family.) At first, Peter didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet because he honored Jesus so highly. But when Jesus explained that Peter wouldn’t have anything to do with him if he didn’t wash his feet, Peter enthusiastically wanted Jesus to wash his whole body. Zeal.
Then when Jesus said that he would be going away, “36 Simon Peter said to him, ‘Lord, where are you going?’ Jesus answered him, ‘Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.’ 37 Peter said to him, ‘Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.’ 38 Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.'” (John 13:36-28)
Peter, zealous as all get out, exclaimed, “I will lay down my life for you, Jesus.” But Jesus knew that before Peter would actually be willing to lay his life down for Jesus, he would first deny knowing Jesus three times. A painful humbling.
Peter does remain a faithful follower of Jesus. But zeal for Jesus wasn’t the indicator of his faithfulness. It was a humble breaking of his pride that flung him into a life of sacrificial love for God and neighbor.
It’s a reminder to us to look at more than zeal when evaluating our own walk with the Lord. It’s a reminder to us to look at more than zeal when evaluating others who say they follow Jesus. Zeal is good. Passion is good. But zeal won’t be enough to keep us when the enemy attacks. Humble, selfless, sacrificial love for God and neighbor has to be at the root of our walk of faith. Zeal will follow.
