FCA ResourcesDevotional
How to Lead
Ready
“When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, ‘Do you know what I have done for you? You call me Teacher and Lord—and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.’” – John 13:12-14
Set
When done right, leadership is a huge responsibility that can be confused by the world as servanthood.
Anytime one of our teammates had to do extra conditioning, our team captain would join them. It didn't matter what the reason was for the punishment; she knew that it was her place to suffer right alongside our teammates. In this way, she washed the feet of people who did nothing to deserve it.
Jesus wanted this teaching to be apparent to His disciples; He ensured everything was understood. He confirmed His position as Lord, making the act He did seem even more outlandish. Why would the Son of God wash the dirty feet of His followers? He did this to show that you are never too important to lower yourself and serve even the least of whom the world deems worthy.
Often, we call ourselves a servant of Christ, but what happens when someone treats us like one? We get offended, think we deserve better, and decide that we are better than them and choose not to serve that person in love. Is that what Christ did? No.
One of the people whose feet were washed was Judas. Jesus knew what Judas would do. Did that disqualify him from getting his feet washed? Jesus knelt and served him anyway.
Go
- How can you display servant leadership this week?
- Is there someone like Judas you must choose to serve in your life?
- How can you “wash people’s feet” in your life?
Overtime
“Lord Jesus, You are the perfect example of leadership. You show us each day how to serve the people around us. If you didn’t deem yourself too important, how can we ever say we are too important to serve Your people? Convict us in areas where we feel too mighty. Humble us before Your cross, Amen.”
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