Maundy Thursday

Why am I always wanting my own way, trying to control my life and everything around me? Why can’t I let just let things go, being patient with others who annoy me? Why is my default mode to lead by commanding, rather than by serving? This is my sinful nature, courtesy of Adam and Eve in the Garden. Satan lied to them. He offered them control, when it wasn’t his to give, or ours to take.

Knowing He would be betrayed by a close friend, falsely accused, humiliated, deserted, denied, beaten, and sentenced to death of the most painful kind - from which we get our word “excruciating” - Jesus knelt to perform the task of a lowly servant. He drew close, washing each man’s dirty feet, including the dirty feet of the one who would betray Him that same night. What does this say about how we are to treat those around us? What does this say about loving our enemies? What does this say about leadership?

"For I have given you an example, that you should also do just as I have done to you." - John 13:15 Maundy refers to a command: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” - Philippians 2:3–7

Lord Jesus, thank you for what You did for me. I cannot comprehend why You would stoop so low to raise me up! Teach me to serve as You did. May I learn leadership from the greatest Leader of them all, the King of Creation. I praise You!

God is faithful,

j

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