I feel as if the Lord had laid this heavily upon my heart for this ministry. The Lord has never audibly spoken to me and I have never seen angles that I know of so this is as close as it comes for me hering from the Lord. I have given that direction a lot of thought over the last several month’s, prayed and fasted about sitting down and putting to paper (well into a word doc) the words he has given me asking for the anointing and the will of God to be done. Last month I had the privilege to write about presenting ourselves a living sacrifice Holy and acceptable unto God….. I ended that article with a note about a servant’s heart and with your permission I would like to continue on that thread and talk about a spirit of servitude.
I do not know if having the spirit of servitude is a learned behavior or we are just given that by the grace of God. I think it might be a combination of both, a desire in our hearts to be obedient to the Word of God and in prayer asking the Lord Jesus Christ to give us the heart of a servant just like his because it’s my desire to be more like our Lord. So what is a servant ? Bro Webster defines it as “A person who performs duties for others” and “A devoted and helpful follower or supporter”
The Bible says:
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
(Phil 2: 3-5)
Jesus had a servant’s heart and the ultimate expression of that nature is found in John 13:1-17 when he washed the disciples feet showing them the way of a true servant. Not only a servant but also the lowest of all servants, you see washing the feet of either their master or a visitor was the lowest job of any household servant in that time. This very act shows us today what approach we should take towards ministry. Not to be high-minded in the service for the Lord but to be lowly and meek. I’ll take it a step further for those who have a burden for ministry you must possess a servant’s heart with the same humility as Jesus. Here was the King of Kings washing the feet of his disciples instead of sitting on the throne of Glory.
Who are we ?
Now of all people one would think that the disciples of Jesus Christ would be the epitome of those with a servant’s heart but they were a lot like we can be sometimes, look at what Peter had to say.
Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; he riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13: 3-15)
The Lord would rebuked Peter for refusing a foot washing he must have felt it was important and did not want Peter to miss out of the learning opportunity on servitude. Peter sensing the Lord was serious not only compiled but also offered his hands and his head to be washed. Peter had the right attitude when confronted, the flesh might have been unwilling but the spirit stepped in and did the right thing.
This ordinance is as much a divine command as any other New Testament ordinance. Jesus gave us an example that we do even as He had done. He said that we ought to wash one another’s feet. And again, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if you do them” (John 13:4-17). There is scriptural evidence that this was practiced by the church in the days of the apostle Paul (I Timothy 5:10). And I pray today, at our National Rally.
For this reason we as a ministry (members only) will be given the opportunity in observing both communion and foot washing on the morning of our business meeting Saturday October 16th starting at 8:00am Bro Joseph will be presiding over both the communion and the foot washing. Bro Beall oversee the foot washing for the men and Sis Beall over the ladies. I urge every member and their spouses to be involved with this act of servitude (Foot washing will be held in two separate areas within the church). This is an invitation only I know there might be those in our membership that might be uneasily about either washing another’s feet or having their feet washed (perhaps so did Peter) I understand. This is where we need to trust in each other, humble ourselves and allow the Lord to minister to the body. It’s not about our feet but about obedience and maintaining a lowly and humble spirit. I guess we should keep in mind how Jesus dealt with Peter over the subject and Peter’s reaction:
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet? Jesus replied, You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand. No, said Peter, you shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered, Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. Then, Lord, Simon Peter replied, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well! John 13:6-9
Let’s come together for this scarit time together, minister to one another as Jesus ministered to his disciples we should minister to each other. We need to keep the faith and stay the course the Lord is coming soon. I for one want to do all I can to stay on track.
