The first days of summer is usually one of rest and relaxation. If you live in the South East of the USA, the first days of summer has been taken over by rain, rain and more rain. Here in Georgia it has rained everyday since may 12. There has really been a chance to go out and enjoy the end of school and the beginning of an extended vacation.
During one of my families “Stay indoors because its flooded outside” days, my daughters asked me the following:
Daddy, Why do you like serving us?”
The question was not meant to be degrading or insulting. They were really wondering why is it so easy to be a servant to family but not to others. I shared with the the story of Jesus washing the feet of the apostles.
Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet
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.
I went on to explain to my daughters that it is easy for us to serve our family because of the love we have for each other. What makes it easier for me to serve those who are “strangers” is the thought that Jesus walked this earth serving everyone. If my God can do it, surely it is something I should strive for as well. PJSLB
