Serving the Servant King

S: John 13

O: Jesus demonstrated servant leadership. Knowing Judas would soon betray him, he took the part of a slave and washed the disciples’ feet. Verse 10 makes it clear, this included Judas’ feet!

Based on what Jesus said in verses 14-15, some churches made this a regular practice — in fact, the Pope does this every year. Simon Peter, whose bravado would be shown false soon, himself learned this servant leadership.

Servant leadership goes against our natural human nature when we come into positions of leadership. That's why there have been so many leaders who have violated this. Yet, this is what Jesus calls us to.

A: We need to stay humble when we’re put in positions of leadership.

P: Lord, make me like you, please make me like you.
You are a servant; make me one, too.
O Lord, I am willing, do what you must do
To make me like you, Lord, please make me like you.

Rise up!

S: John 11

O: “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”

“Lazarus, come out!”

“Free him, and let him go.”

Yet the chief priests and Pharisees failed to see the miracle but instead sought to kill Jesus!

A: Jesus brings us to life! And calls us to come out! Will we heed his call or will we reject it?

We are faced with many challenges and sometimes we don't understand the reasons. Just like Martha said, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.” It didn’t make sense to her that Jesus would wait till after it was “too late” to show up. Yet, God had a good reason: “I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe.”

So let us believe, and rise up!

P: Father, I believe. Help me in my unbelief. May I never be like the religious leaders who miss the whole thing and tried to kill Jesus instead. In Jesus’ name, amen.