Serving One Another in Faith

Message from Rodney A message was received from Rodney: “if you’ve got it all against you brother you better make it right.” This message was taken as confirmation and was appreciated. Luke 22:24-30 The passage discusses strife among the disciples regarding who would be the greatest. Jesus contrasts worldly leadership with service, stating, “the kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them…but I am among you as he that serveth.” The disciples are those who have continued with Jesus in his temptations. A kingdom is appointed to them, where they may eat and drink at Jesus’ table and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. The Last Supper The disciples had eaten the Passover, after which Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and said, “take it this is my body which is broken for you.” He then took the cup, blessed it, and said, “drink ye all of it for this is my blood which shall be shed for many.” The disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest in the kingdom of God. The speaker warns against thinking oneself better than others in the house of God. The disciples had followed Christ for three and a third years, and this was not their first Passover with Him. Jesus set up this Passover special, sending them to the upper room to follow a man carrying a pitcher of water. The man never questioned them about who the pastor was. A few days prior, they had brought Hosanna to the key and laid palm branches down before him. John’s gospel provides a different version of this event because John witnessed it firsthand. Luke’s gospel is based on word of mouth and first-hand accounts from others. The disciples had been arguing about who would be the greatest. Their mother had already asked the Lord when her sons would sit at his right hand. Jesus told her it was not for him to give. Jesus had already told them about what was going to happen to him. Jesus had blessed bread and food and fed thousands of people. They had just seen him raise Lazarus from the dead. They thought that nobody should touch him. They were right that he wasn’t nobody and couldn’t be touched. He laid his life down. He could not be killed; he laid his life down. When he was on the cross, he cried out, “it is finished,” and gave up the ghost. Observing the Lord’s Supper Many churches end their service after observing the Lord’s Supper. Many people will not take part, including the speaker, who is not physically able to but feels he deserves it. The speaker relates to Peter’s humility, preferring to watch others partake. John 13 In John’s account, after supper had ended, Jesus took off his coat and laid it aside. This was the same coat that would be cast lots for the next day. He laid aside his kingly robe. The disciples were arguing over who would be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus gave the example, stating, “I am amongst you…I am here to serve.” He began to wash his disciples’ feet, taking on the role of the lowliest servant. This task was meant for the slave or the lowest of servants. The speaker warns against coming into the house of God with a pecking order in mind. If you have an audience, you need to address that side of yourself. Serving One Another There is no pecking order in the house of God; we are to be servants to one another. We get caught up in our own self-righteousness. The disciples were arguing about who was the greatest among them. After washing their feet, Jesus said, “You call me Lord and Master, and you say so rightly, for so I am…if I your Lord and Master have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” It’s not just about washing feet, but too often, self-righteousness gets in the way. We think, “I’m better than that one,” or “I’m more deserving of this than that one is.” Instead, we should look at others’ situations and avoid comparing ourselves, focusing on serving others with all our heart. If you’re not ready after multiple services, it’s your fault. If you know your brother has something against you, go to them and make it right. The biggest problem in churches is that we don’t serve each other. We have our own self-righteous pecking order in our minds and think others don’t deserve our help. The disciples were right in the middle of it, and the speaker initially didn’t understand their ignorance. The Lord revealed that we are exactly the same way. We would have thought the same things if we had seen what they saw. Be careful when reading the book and thinking they were dumb because we are the same way. What we are about to enter into is holy above everything else we practice in our churches. This is not intended to be just a ceremony; do it in remembrance of Jesus. Purpose Do foot washing with a purpose. Understand that you are nothing. If you have something against a brother, make it right. Get it right; don’t let it fester or sit. Don’t travel in it any longer than you have to. Get it right now.