We know we are called to serve one another, but why? As taught by Jesus, servanthood represents the kind of mutual relationship we should have for the sake of one another.
In the gospels, the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples paints a vivid picture. With a towel around his waist, Jesus wears the uniform of the lowliest servants and illustrates how we should serve. Disciples serve those who are present, not only those who we judge to need our service or those who we find personally satisfying. Wherever there is a need we put a towel around our waist and get in there. Among people with whom we work and live and love. We serve children, the rich, and the poor.
Jesus humbled himself by washing feet as a sign that one was no one person was greater than the other. He did not wash the disciples’ feet to convince them to like each other. Jesus set the example to move the disciples into the world to serve God by serving each other and all people to the ends of the earth.
Please pray for the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, which begins this week. This message is adapted from a devotion by Delores Yancey, published in a Women of the ELCA stewardship guide.
reply
retweet
favorite