Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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DISCIPLE, A SERVANT
John 13:1-11
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 13:5)

When we look into the context of the passage, the end of Jesus' ministry on earth is very clearly portrayed. The last night of Jesus' earthly ministry was eventful. He taught many valuable truths to His disciples and observed Passover with them. Before he started the events of the evening, he took some time to teach these men a lesson in servant hood through washing their feet. In the New Testament the Greek word used for minister or disciple is "Diakonia". Jesus has shown to us the value of Diakonia ministry. The greatest model ever we see for the servant hood ministry is the service of Jesus' washing the feet of the disciples. In those days in Palestine there was a custom and practice among the people that a servant was appointed to wash the feet of the guests who came to their house. But in the case with Jesus and His disciples there was none to take up the responsibility of a servant to wash the feet of the disciples. So Jesus comes forward and fills the gap of a servant. What does this act of Jesus teach us?
1.Service: - Humbling oneself. The greatest glory of any human being is doing the humblest service. Quite often Jesus taught his disciples that they should always practice the mind of humbleness and humility in their day-to-day life. Today, everyone wants to get into a higher position; no one wants to come down. Even the children are brought up in the families with a competitive mentality. Therefore, every aspect of our life in the society has become a place for competition and an attitude for jealousy and other things.
2. Discipleship: - A service of self-sacrifice. Knowing his positions and place well, Jesus comes forward and washes the feet of the disciples. Today many people claim to lead humble lives, but in practice, what happens is the opposite. Let us take away the attitude of 'I' and try to see others as greater than us.
3. Implementing servanthood lifestyle in our life situation. By showing the great model of servanthood lifestyle, Jesus expects his disciples to practice what he has shown to them. Also, he informs us to do it as something very important for one's witnessing. The ministry of servant hood lifestyle has to be practiced as something very necessary for the testimony of God's kingdom.                                                                                                             
 Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help us to follow the great model of servant hood ministry in our day to day life.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Servant leadership is the model that Jesus showed to all his disciples.

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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