To Be A Servant

Holy Week Family Devotional
Holy Wednesday

Scripture Reading:
 - John 13:1-17

​The Washing

It still amazes me when I look at scripture and see the lengths to which Jesus would go to demonstrate the way he wants us to live. John 13:1-17 gives us another clear example of that life; the life of a servant.

In these verses we Jesus is providing a service that not too many us would be quick to do; washing the feet of his disciples. A task left to the lowest of servants, washing the feet was a humbling act, one not appropriate of the King of kings. The disciples are shocked, speechless, that is until Peter asked, “Will you wash my feet, too?”

This wasn’t a question of what was happening before him, this was a question of confusion and wonder. Why, Jesus, are you washing my feet?

Jesus knew what it meant to serve others. It’s why he came. It’s how he lived. It’s who he was. The Apostle Paul describes Jesus with words like servant, humble, obedient. Jesus was ready and willing to put aside his own wants, desires, pride, and Deity in order to demonstrate what it meant to love some completely.

Later at the table, Jesus asks his disciple if they understood what and why he did what he did. He explained that this was how leaders were to lead, by first serving those whom they were called to lead.

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Watch this video with your kids.

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How are we serving? Whether it’s your position at work, within the church, or even in the family, are you leading by being a servant first? Or are you too busy to take the time to serve the ones you love? This week, take the time to lead like Christ. Watch for opportunities to serve those you lead and love.

Humble yourself and wash the feet of those God has entrusted to you.

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Try This Activity 

Take out a large piece of paper or poster board. Across the top write in large letters, WE CAN SERVE... As a family, think of some ways that you might be able to serve someone you know. Maybe it's serving at church. Maybe it's serving a neighbor. Maybe it's serving someone you don't know. Include all ideas, even if they sound a little difficult to pull off. Once you have a list of ideas, go back through your list and circle the ones that your family could do with little prep or planning. Now go through and underline any ideas that would take a little planning to do.

Pick two or three of the circled ideas and go and do them as a family. Pick on of the underlined ideas, and in the coming days, work together as a family and plan how you might be able to carried out that opportunity to serve someone! Then go and do what you planned!

As an alternative, have a family foot washing service. Set up some buckets with with warm soapy water, and some towels, and take turns washing each others feet. It's okay if there are a few giggles along the way, take it all in and enjoy this special time with you family.

- the higham family

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