John 13: 1-17, Philip. 2: 6-8

Andy Flannagan

John 13: 1-17
Read this amazing passage slowly. Let Jesus ask YOU the question of verse 12 - "Do you understand what I have done for you?"

Walking was the main mode of transport in Jesus' time. In 21st century UK it is the car. That's why the place to meditate on that question and put these verses into practice is while washing a friend or neighbour's car. (It's best to ask them about this first, or do it while you're doing your own!) This will give you the time and context for Jesus' attitude of service to take deeper root. If your first thought is "I couldn't do that", or "That would be humiliating", then cast your thoughts straight back to Jesus and ponder how the perfect Creator of all the universe must have felt; stooping to wipe the dust and grime from the feet of mere mortals, including the one who was about to betray Him. As you struggle to remove the caked-on grime from the wing of the car, imagine what it must have been like to have the "hands that flung stars into space" dare to touch the sweatiest, dirtiest part of the human body. Do we simply take ourselves too seriously, and not take God seriously enough? What stops us getting on our knees to serve? As Jesus says, "you should do as I have done for you."

Keep your eyes open for other simple acts of service that will genuinely help other people. If they are hard to see, then simply think about what help you could really do with, to make your life easier, and the chances are that other people will be in the same boat!

Pray that something of the servant attitude of Jesus could be planted in you.

Philip. 2: 6-8
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death-even death on a cross!

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