Doing the Job Right

TITLE: Doing the Job Right
DATE: March 23, 2019
TEXT: John 13:5 - (ESV) -5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
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Here's a news flash:

Did you ever think that when the Statue of Liberty was designed, there were no airplanes, or helicopters? That doesn't come as a big surprise to most of us who know our history.

But here's something you may never have thought about. Since there were no helicopters or airplanes, once the statue was up, nobody would ever see the top. If nobody would see the top, why did the designer of the Statue bother?

Why did he put the same kind of detail and care and painstaking craftsmanship on the unseen top of Lady Liberty's head as he did with her feet which would be viewed by everybody? It's true. Her hair, her crown, her eyes are all perfectly done.

Why did he do it? The only answer I can think of is because he wanted to do the job right.

Which takes me to the next question: "Why did Jesus wash the disciples' feet?" He had shown that He loved the world when He was born in Bethlehem.  He would show it when He was nailed to the cross.

Nobody would have criticized Jesus if He hadn't washed their feet. So, why did He do it?

The only answer I can think of is because Jesus wanted to do the job right. He had told the disciples to serve as He served. But words were not enough. Time was running out. The disciples hadn't gotten the message. They were still arguing about who would be greatest in the kingdom,

Which is why Jesus had to show them exactly how far they could go in serving. That's why He washed their feet. He was telling them that there's no job too small or menial for His followers to perform in love.

Jesus did the job right.

Every Christian agrees with that in principle. It's when things get practical that problems arise.

When is the last time you heard the pastor of your church say,

"Thank you all, but we don't need any more VBS Teachers. More have come forward than we needed."

When is the last time you said at home, "The grass needs raking." and you had more volunteers then you had rakes?

It hardly ever happens because we haven't caught on that Jesus was serious. He wants us to serve one another.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, nobody would have noticed if You hadn't washed the disciples' feet. But You did it because You wanted us to understand You were serious about serving.  Help us to understand - and then let us serve in love. In Your Name. Amen.

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He with his extended family have a great witness. This song comes from the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html