4. Jesus knew his identity, 

yet served with humility

I was asked by the church we attended to teach an eighth-grade boys class for one quarter. When I arrived for my first Sunday, the boys were quick to tell me that they had already run off two teachers that year, and wondered how long I would last! I discovered it was the class no one wanted.

Well, we had some discipline problems at first, but things improved. One Sunday my lesson was on John 13. I brought a pan of water and a towel to the room and set it to the side. No one asked what it was for, but I could tell they were curious. After I had explained the story, I brought the pan and towel into the middle of our circle. I asked for a volunteer to be the first to wash someone else’s feet—silence; then some embarrassed laughter—no one was willing. I offered to wash their feet but no one would let me. We spent the rest of our time talking about our unwillingness. I obviously never forgot that lesson, and I hope those boys didn’t either.

Why weren’t we willing? F.B. Meyer suggests two reasons: “This failure arises partly because we do not love with a love like Christ’s—a love which will brave resentment, annoyance, rebuke, in its quest—and partly because we are not willing

By “one another” he meant not just the Twelve, but all people, including and especially their own families. Fathers and mothers are to serve their children as well as children serving their parents; brothers and sisters are to serve one another; the same is true of fellow workers, neighbors, relatives, and so forth. Serving includes having a right spirit toward others.

    --Dr John White, Chapel of the Air Ministries

Lord, here we are again. At times, we feel in control. At other times, we feel overwhelmed. There are people in our lives that look up to us as significant players in the game of life. We have titles on our doors, images to protect, egos to hold in check. And yet you know how fragile and unimportant we really are.

Still, in the quiet of contemplation, we sense your smile. You know we are most useful to your purposes when we come to you as helpless and needy children. Forgive us for believing our press clippings and trusting in ourselves. Help us to remember where our true identity lies and to find in that secure position the freedom to be used by you wherever you need us. In Jesus name we pray. Amen