John
5:1-18—For our second story, we’ll look at one that
appears to counter some of the above principles. Jesus did an infinite number
of services for people besides healing, but these two are of interest because
they show two different ways of working. What happened to waiting for expressed
needs, as Jesus did in nearly every other story? What happened to following
local customs, instead of healing deliberately and openly on the Sabbath,
knowing it would cause controversy, not to mention bringing trouble to the
healed man and his family? What principles of service can we find here?
1. Jesus’ heart was touched by a need so deep
the needy one could not even ask for help. How did
He know? Well, of course, He was the Son of God, and “knew what was in man” (John
2:25). But we are looking for principles we can imitate. Jesus paid attention. He loved everyone He saw,
and He was always in close contact with and led by the Holy Spirit. We can do
that. We can build relationships so that we can sometimes give voice to
something the other person can’t speak. If she closes up, we can back away,
apologize if necessary. But frequently our answer will be relief, even tears, as
the person who has come to trust us realizes we have seen what she didn’t dare
to share, and that we are not shocked, and don’t love or respect her any less.
2. Jesus didn’t argue about cause and effect, or
try to change the man’s mind. He invited the man to be involved in his own
help. The man’s response may seem like excuses to
some. “I wouldn’t be here if only. . .” “It’s someone else’s fault.” “I’ve
tried, really I have.” If you’ve ever been paralyzed by circumstances, though,
you know how real his reasons were to him and how honestly desperate he felt.
Jesus didn’t lecture him about placing blame. He didn’t exhort the man to try
harder next time. If you read the whole story, you’ll learn He didn’t even mention the fact that this man’s
lifestyle had, in fact, been instrumental in his condition, until after the man felt enough better
to come to Him again. He just made it possible for the helpless one to stand
up, not helpless anymore.
John
13:3-5—There is a great deal in this passage, particularly
the fascinating insertion of “knowing that the Father had given all things into
His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God” as if
this were the obvious reason behind His foot washing. That juxtaposition bears
more thought. But for our purposes, there is one overarching Principle here: Jesus did what needed to be done. He didn’t ask questions, He didn’t look around to see if anyone
else was going to do it, He didn’t examine His soul to determine if He had the
requisite skills. He saw a need, got up, set aside any right to reasonable self-consequence,
and did the job.
It’s especially interesting to read this passage
in light of Luke’s commentary on the same evening: “And there arose also a
dispute among them as to which one of them was regarded to be greatest. And He
said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who have
authority over them are called “Benefactors.” But it is not that way with you,
but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and
the leader like the servant.
For who is greater, the one who reclines at the
table? But I am among you as the one who serves.’” (Luke
22:24-27)
Was this before or after He washed their feet?
Could they really get into a conflict over who was the greatest after watching Jesus take on the
persona of the lowliest of all possible servants in Middle Eastern Society, the
one who has anything to do with feet? The God we love and worship and serve came to become a baby,
child, and man, and knelt down to serve us. What more could He possibly tell us
about what He
means by “Service”?
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