Joh 13:15-17 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
In the previous verses to our text, the Lord has just finished washing His disciple’s feet. This act showed to all His willingness to meet the needs of others through self-sacrifice and submission. Of course, it were these basic principles that formed the foundation of Christ’s greatest sacrifice, as He came to the earth, humbled Himself as man, suffered and died on the cross so that we might receive the forgiveness of our sins.
After setting this wonderful example of sacrifice on behalf of others the Lord makes the statements…
“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” – He makes it plain to us that we should also give of ourselves to meet the needs in the lives of others around us.
“I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him” – We should recognize our position “in the big scheme” of things. In other words, when we examine the purpose of our lives and salvation, we can clearly see that we were meant to love and submit ourselves to our Lord and love and give of ourselves for the benefit of others.
If we are not careful we miss the forest for the trees and get wrapped up in the things of this world and living for ourselves. By living for ourselves we are following the example of the lost world and not the example of our Lord and Savior.
“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” – Here is the wonderful point I would like to emphasize in this devotion…. The Lord tells us that when a Christian recognizes his true purpose and lives a life of submission to the Lord and service to others… this is what brings true happiness to the Christian’s heart.
What does it mean to be “happy”? The word translated “happy” in this verse is normally translated “blessed” throughout the New Testament. What can we learn from this?
1. To serve the Lord by serving others, we must be blessed… blessed with both the opportunity and ability to serve the Lord.
2. When the Lord blesses us in this way, we can know that we are fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. It proves He is actively working in our lives and using us for His glory. This then gives us genuine happiness and fulfillment in this life and eternal happiness in the world to come.
This is why the word for “blessed” is being translated by the word “happiness” in this text.
Are we submitting to our Lord’s will by submitting to meet the needs of those around us? If so, we can rest assured knowing that we are fulfilling His purpose for our lives. Let’s enjoy and be happy knowing that we are in the center of His will, being used for His glory and meeting the needs of others around us.
May the Lord bless us as we “Think On These Things”.
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very beautiful
Thank you Cat… I appreciate it very much. Hope your week goes really well for you. Exciting time isn’t it?
EVERY DAY IS EXCITING
XX
IT’S LIKE I FEEL LIKE A NEWBORN BABY
UR VERY WELCOME
BEST ALWAYS
It’s a circle, isn’t it? God blesses me, so I pass on the blessing, and He blesses me and I . . .
What an amazing God!
Hi Angela,
It is a wonderful circle that is for sure! Lord bless.
“If we are not careful we miss the forest for the trees and get wrapped up in the things of this world and living for ourselves.” How true good friend. What complicates matters most, is that this comes naturally. Without intentional effort on our part, self-service is the direction we will always lean. I can attest… for I catch myself doing it everyday. May the Lord search our hearts and show us our sinfulness. May He strengthen us to be like Jesus, a people with servant hearts. Thanks, and blessings…
Hi MT,
Yep, you are so right, it is so easy to slip into “self-service”… it is a constant struggle for mosto fo us. Lord bless, thanks for the comments.