DAY FOUR
Read Luke 22:20-30
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Pause and Ponder:
Judas was the only disciple who called Jesus “teacher” and “mentor”, but not “Lord.” He understood what Jesus was saying, but didn’t accept it for Himself. Jesus couldn’t be who Judas wanted Him to be - perhaps this was his motive to betray Him. We are as guilty as Judas when we use Jesus for our own selfish gain. However, Jesus knew this and still called him friend.
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Sitting among them - Judas. The betrayer. And yet still the disciples were only concerned with who, among them, would be the greatest. Even now, knowing a betrayer sat with them.
What was Jesus trying to warn His students?
Jesus changes the subject in these passages. He redirects the prideful concerns of His followers to servant leadership. Jesus contrasts the world’s leadership style - military, power, coercion, and bribery - with His own servant leadership in sacrificing Himself for others. Jesus was a servant. He came to serve. He was asking His disciples to live in that same way, reciting, “Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like the servant.” (verse 26)
Read John 13:1-20
Jesus came to serve, not be served.
Foot washing, common in the Jewish cultures, was a gesture of hospitality, was a lowly and menial task, and was performed by servants. By washing His disciples feet, Jesus takes on the posture of a servant… a slave.
In what ways, in our modern culture, can we perform selfless service to others?
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