Day 20: Follow and Serve

Come Before Him in Worship: We can only imagine the feelings that flooded Peter when Christ bowed low to wash his feet. How inappropriate it must have seemed for the Messiah to humiliate Himself in this way. And before we hear the instruction of Christ to serve as He served, we allow ourselves to stand in awe for a moment. Ponder the many ways that the Highly Exalted King of all things has served you. Worship Him for considering His life an acceptable offering, that You would know Him. You could thank Him by saying something like this, “I love you my Lord and my God. My feet were filthy, and you’ve made them clean. My hands were marred with unrighteousness, and you made them beautiful. Thank you for serving me in such extravagant ways.”

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

Devotion: Just as Jesus came not to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28), God has made us for service. On the night of the last supper, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, which was the job of the lowliest servant in that culture. Then he told them (and us), “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.” John 13:14-15

This can feel intimidating, as we picture in our minds all the places God might want us to go and all of the things He might want us to do! However, the good news of Ephesians 2:10 (above) is that we are not called to do everything! We’re only called to do the works that He prepared beforehand (from eternity past) for us to do. As we abide in Him, we will come to recognize the works that He is pointing us to and sense a desire within us to do them!

And not just a desire, but a power, as He comes alongside us to give us what we need for the job. In fact, we even have to be careful when using the strengths God has given us, that we still recognize our need of Him to work through those strengths. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that God’s power is perfected in our weakness. Because God brings the fruit, we also don’t need to worry about the results of our work. We pray for Him to guide, give wisdom, make our hands effective, and for the Holy Spirit to work through us and then trust that He will do what He wants with our service. Moreover, in John 12:26, Jesus promises us that, as we follow Him in service, we will find Him there with us, and the Father will honor us!

Respond in Prayer: Who am I that You are mindful of me? And yet, Your thoughts for me our constant. All praise to the humble King! Thank You for the power in Your words.

Jesus, I know the enemy wants no part in watching me serve the ones you love. And the flesh inside me wars again the new man. But I long to be like my Master in this way. I long to serve and love and pour out the way You did. I believe that the fickleness of my heart is no match for the power of Your Spirit. So empower me this day to serve wildly, love recklessly, and lay my dignity down for Your glory.