The Servant Heart of Jesus - Wed 19 Sept 07

‘He got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel round his waist…. He began to wash his disciples feet’. John 13:5

Another story about Peter and Jesus: Jesus demonstrates the gentle love of God, love that puts itself in the lowest place in order to serve others in a way that is menial, self-denying, and even offensive. Peter is offended. What he says to Jesus is in effect ‘you are far too important to be doing this.’

I wonder if that’s something we might be tempted to think about ourselves when it comes to getting involved with something like The Big Clean Up? Maybe we disguise the idea in different words ‘you’ve got far too many other things to do’ or ‘your skills and gifts really lie in other areas’ but maybe it boils down to the same response. Are any of us so important that we can’t take off our outer clothing, our suits, our roles, our badges of distinction, roll up our sleeves and spend half a day clearing up someone else’s garden? If Jesus could wash his disciples feet, then it is never a waste of our talents to give ourselves sacrificially in love to someone else. It’s an act of worship the Lord loves to bless.

If I’ve made you feel uncomfortable, then I need to confess my guilt. Last Easter I was part of a working party on a hedge round the back of some houses, a very, very long hedge. After several hours on my knees and with my hands blistered from the secaturs, I found it very hard to muster up enthusiasm when someone suggested we do 100 yards more and then another 100 yards. The rest of my group put me to shame with their joyful service (okay, so they were all keen gardeners and you know how I feel about gardening – yawn). But it was when the residents came out with a box of chocolates and an expression of amazement that Christians would come and do this free of charge just to smarten up their back alley, after that it did seem worthwhile.

‘Father please don’t let our sense of self-importance keep us from the offering the gift of service. Thank you that you completely forgot who you were when you laid down on the cross and allowed the nails to be hammered in. Help us to share your amazing love with others. Amen’