To Represent God Well

“Jesus knew that the Father put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothes, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  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.” (John 13:4,5 NIV)

   And thus, our Lord demonstrated that He had come not to be served, but to serve.  If our Lord came to earth to serve, then should we not do the same.  Jesus had all the power of God—all the power in the universe—yet He chose to humble himself and perform a duty and a service usually assigned to an underling, the washing of feet.  He later humbled Himself to the religious leaders who questioned and accused Him, the Son of God, for the crime of blasphemy.   He humbled Himself to the Roman leader, Pontius Pilate, underwent scourging, and finally crucifixion.  Jesus, the omnipotent and omniscient One, humbled Himself in obedience to the Father so that God could have fellowship with you and me forever.

   With Jesus as our example, how can we do other than serve our fellow man?  God gave His only Son; cannot I give of my time to help someone in need?  Jesus gave up His omnipotence and died on a cross; cannot I give of my earthly goods to someone less fortunate than I?  Stephen, the first martyr, gave up his life in a painful manner, stoning to death, because he proclaimed the Gospel boldly; cannot I tell a friend about Jesus?  John was boiled in oil (but they couldn’t kill him), and Peter was crucified upside down; cannot I share the love of God with those I meet?  

Lord, help me to represent you well.