DRIVE THROUGH ANY SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD and you’ll often see banners of all kinds flying outside the front door. On July 4th, you’ll see an American flag; at Christmas a holiday banner; during summer a bright, outdoorsy banner; and during football season a Razorback or NFL team.
I have an idea for another banner that Christ-followers can fly outside our homes—a dirty towel. Stay with me now.
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (John 13:3-5)
Did you catch the connection between “known power” and a dirty towel? The Son of God knew His position of supreme authority, so He used that authority to serve the needs of others with less power. He met practical needs by serving in the most practical way, even when it required Him to take the role of the lowest servant. Only the lowest servant in the household organizational chart had to wash dirty feet before a meal.
If spiritual formation is the process of the Spirit of God transforming us into the likeness of the Son of God, then Service has to be one of our essential practices. If we are to become more like Jesus, serving must be part of our spiritual rhythms. That’s not just my opinion; that’s Jesus’ conviction.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:12-15)
Just like it’s hard to picture a Christ who didn’t serve others, it’s hard to imagine a Christ-follower who does not serve others. He is the Servant. He calls us to become more like Him in the rhythm of our life. The New Testament tells us that our service will look different from each other, depending upon our spiritual gifting and our life’s season and assignment. But one thing we all have in common, we are people who joyfully and willingly fly a dirty towel as a banner of lives.
That’s why service must be one of the rhythms we pursue in the Christian life. It’s too tempting to view service like the non-Christ-following world we live in. Service projects during the holidays or after natural disasters are helpful and needed. But a healthy routine of serving someone else as a lifestyle is the way of the Christ-follower. And we don’t do this out of grim duty. We do this out of contented desire, because we believe what Jesus said about serving others:
“I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (John 13:12-17)
Jesus has our good in mind. That’s why He calls us to serve the way He did. He knows that the road to blessing is paved with generous serving of others. He must have said this so often that Paul tells church elders, “the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)
So how is serving a blessing? Clearly, we can point to the same ways that our world points to when we serve at Christmastime, it makes you feel good to know you helped someone. That’s true, but God has so much more in store for us than that.
A lifestyle of serving others cultivates humility in us. And, as Ignatius said, “Humility is the mother of all other virtues.” Out of a humble heart flow the fruits of gratitude, worship, love, contentment, joy, peace… God promises to give grace to the humble; exalt the humble (Luke 1:48, James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5). No wonder Jesus promises that we will be blessed if we serve others!
Our Savior is the Servant… continually. He served us ultimately as He carried our cross and paid for our sin. And He serves us continually as He sits upon His glorious throne. He serves us even when He calls us to serve as He served:
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11)
Jesus serves us as we serve others! Through service, He calls us to a greater and more blessed life. And then He serves us by supplying the energy to carry out this call.
There’s much more we could say about service as a spiritual discipline. But it’s clear that it’s the path that Jesus walked, called us to walk, and empowers us to walk. No wonder serving is one of the rhythms that the Holy Spirit uses to make us more like Jesus.
A dirty towel as home décor doesn’t seem so bizarre now, does it?
Dave Runyon, The Art of Neighboring
The majority of the issues that our community is facing would be eliminated or drastically reduced if we could figure out a way to become a community of great neighbors.’… In a word, our mayor invited a roomful of pastors to get their people to actually obey Jesus’ Great Commandment.
Brian Fikkert, When Helping Hurts
Poverty alleviation occurs when the power of Christ’s resurrection reconciles our key relationships through the transformation of both individual lives and local, national, and international systems.
Here are some additional thoughts and resources that will help you go even deeper this week:
PROCESS:
Here is a Scripture devotional and a key quote or two to help you consider the spiritual rhythm of the Word this week, individually and with others.
Read Mark 10:35-45.
– How do the disciples define success and greatness?
– How does Jesus redefine greatness? Why is this significant and meaningful in our day and age?
– What examples can you think of where Jesus serves others?
– What could it look like for you to have a rhythm of Christ-like service in your life? How can you grow in true greatness?
PRACTICE:
Here is a daily Scripture reading plan with some practical suggestions to help you get started in your next step of growth in spiritual rhythms. Consider this Scripture reading plan and suggestions this week.\
- Mark 10:35-45 – Ask God to assess your view of success and service.
- 1 Peter 4:7-11 – Notice what God has given you to serve others
- Mark 12:28-34 – Love a neighbor by sharing something or serving an everyday need.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:14 – Ask God to bring you someone in need to mind and practically serve them today.
- Luke 10:25-37 – Be generous and show someone the extravagant love of Christ.
Consider these resources for further study.
- Introductory: The Gospel-Centered Community by Robert H. Thune and Will Walker
- Intermediate: The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak & Dave Runyon
- Advanced: When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert
PROGRESS:
Remember! The goal is that all of us would choose one or two holy habits to take a step of growth. Progress is the goal, and all of us can take another step forward together.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.