John 13:12-15 "A Servant's Heart." on this week's Word of Grace Radio with Pastor Joe Marquez.

5/27/2016

The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of May 23, 2016
A Servant’s Heart
John 13:12-15, “When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”
Beloved, Jesus’ example in the above passage was in direct contrast to that of the Apostles who had just been arguing about who was going to be the greatest in the Kingdom of God (Luke 22:24). Greatness in God’s Kingdom is defined as the servant of all and the greatest example of all is that of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To demonstrate this Jesus took a common chore left to the lowliest of slaves, foot washing, as an example for us to follow. We know that Jesus came to serve and not to be served as Matthew 20:28 says, “He came “not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” The humility expressed by Jesus’ act of washing the feet of the disciples foreshadowed His ultimate act of love on the cross.
The disciples must have been stunned at this act of humility. They had been expecting a kingdom where others would serve them and not a kingdom where they were the servants. Unfortunately, many Christians often expect the same. They want to be served rather than serve.
But the truth is Beloved, when we reduce the church down to its bare minimum; the church is simply one servant serving another servant. When all servants are serving, church is a beautiful thing to behold. But when the few are serving the many it can become difficult. This is where like Jesus; we need to display acts of service in the hope of driving others to serve. For this, we need a servant’s heart.
Beloved, as followers of Jesus Christ we are to emulate Him, serving one another, and building one another up in love and humility. When we have a servant’s heart, we will be greatly blessed as John 13:17 says, “If you know these things blessed are you if you do them.”
Beloved, I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you!

In Jesus’ Name,
Pastor Joe

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Senior Pastor
Joe Marquez

Beloved, we are soon to once again celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the human Son of man and the divine Son of God. He is one hundred percent human and one hundred percent God.

While there were many people instrumental in the birth of Christ, this morning we will look at His birth through the eyes of Joseph, His legal father. There is not too much known about the man who would care for Christ as He grew up. We know that Joseph was possibly a carpenter but most importantly we know that he was a righteous man who did the right thing.

When others would have ran away from a responsibility that was not even their own, Joseph stood steadfast and remained faithful to the end. We can learn much from his character and apply his attributes of faithfulness, purity, and perseverance to our own lives.

May you have a Blessed Christmas week and may Christ always be at the center of your lives!

P.S. Come back this evening as we look at the birth of Christ through the Gospel of Luke!