Week 4: SERVICE
Definition: The action of helping or doing work for someone.
Read: 1 Peter 4:10, Acts 20:35, Galatians 5:13-14
In the summer of 2009, I went to Rwanda, Africa for a mission trip. The purpose of the mission trip was to work alongside students and help them understand who Jesus is and what He has done for them. We spent most of our time in the schools, which was an incredible experience. I love to do missions, but before this trip, my perspective on serving others was skewed. See, I always thought that to make a difference I had to travel somewhere other than where I was.
One night, we took a bus to a remote village outside of the city of Kigali. As we walked along the street, I noticed that the people were all working on a small hut. The roof of the house was damaged, and the people came together in the evening, after a long day at work, to fix it. It wasn't a job they were getting paid for; someone simply had a need, and the village came together to provide it. It was a beautiful picture of what Jesus was speaking about in the book of John. I realized I didn’t have to fly across the world to serve others. I could do it in my community, if I intentionally looked for opportunities to do so.
When Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He gave a profound illustration of expressing love through an act of service.
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. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had 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 clothing, 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. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" esus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." "Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" 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." For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. 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. "You call me ‘Teacher' and ‘Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." (John 13:1-17)
In a culture where people wore sandals and walked on dirt streets, it was customary for a low position servant to wash the feet of guests as they arrived. When Jesus humbled Himself by washing the feet of His disciples, He was demonstrating service. He was setting the example.
Take a few moments to answer the following questions. Remember, these questions are designed to challenge you and will do so only if you are completely honest with yourself.
Reflection
- Why is serving others so important in our walk with Jesus?
- How does knowing that Jesus washed the feet of His disciples speak to you? Why?
- Have there been times in your life where you should have served someone but chose not to? If so, why?
- How do you feel when someone helps you when you are in need?
When you do acts of service, you should require nothing in return. You should willingly and happily give your time and energy to lend a hand to someone is in need. Acts of service come from a heart of love and humility.
The Challenge
Complete an act of service for a friend or family member.
Again, you will have a lot of different opportunities to serve, so it's up to you how you are going to do that.
End of Week Reflection
- How did this challenge make you shine?
- What was the most difficult part of this challenge for you?
- What was the most rewarding part of this challenge for you?
- How do you feel this challenge grew your relationship with Jesus?
- How can you use what you learned through this challenge to shine daily?