iBelin

John 13.1-17; 31-35 (NIV)
When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him. 32If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33″My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34″A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

What is Servant Leadership? Google the phrase and you will find quotes, definitions, and models. The TV show, Undercover Boss, attempts to answer the question. In this show, the boss assumes a fake identity and works alongside the people who work for his company. At the end of just one week on the job, the boss reveals his true identity and pledges to improve working conditions. The process is supposed to teach him how to serve and lead his employees. Applause and fade to black…

On this last night with the disciples, Jesus has one final lesson for his close group of friends. Up to this point, Jesus has healed, fed multitudes and taught in the synagogue in full view of his disciples. He didn’t have to work undercover to learn how to lead and serve. He was the exemplar.

As he gets up from the table, he wraps a towel around his waist and performs the menial task of washing the disciples’ feet. He explains how they are to follow the example he has just set. As they are absorbing what has taken place, he explains that this is a new commandment. I’m asking you to live differently than you did before. He tells them and he tells us to show the world what we have learned from Him. Love as you have seen me love those I healed and fed. Love as you have seen me teach in love. Love as you have seen me interact with people who were denied love. Show the world how to lead and serve. Be an example to the world of how I have loved you and then, love one another.

Eternal God, Your Son came showing us a new way of living and being in the lives of our sisters and brothers. As we draw closer to the foot of the cross, instill in us the desire to live up to the example Jesus set for us on that dark night so long ago. Speak to our hearts and let us join our hands together so that the world will know we are one in the bond of love.

Minister Kymberly E. McNair
Antioch Baptist Church
Bedford Hills, NY

**During Lent and Holy Week, devotional writings will be posted by Facebook and Twitter friends who are praying and fasting together in a Daniel Fast. Read more about this “Journey to the Heart of God by clicking here.

Posted on: April 1st, 2010 in: LENT, Lent Devotional