Spiritual Disciplines, Part 4

February, 2008

by: Brock Bolde

The world views greatness like a pyramid. People are used as a means to reach a higher level. The power and prestige of the person at the top is built on the many people that are below. In the world system, the more people you have under you, the greater you are! In this system, people are used to satisfy one’s own selfish desires in an effort to get to the top. But this is not the case when it comes to God’s definition of greatness. Christ said “that whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave” (Matthew 20:26). Returning to our pyramid example, the Christian should seek to turn the world’s pyramid upside down. In Christ, greatness comes as we learn to elevate others above ourselves. It’s important to note that by doing this you will not get a bunch of people telling you how great you are. In fact, you may even run the risk of not being noticed. But the mark of a true servant lies in that servant’s willingness to sacrifice for the sake of others.

In perhaps one of the greatest illustrations of servitude found in the Bible, we find Jesus, on the eve of His death upon the cross, sitting down to enjoy the Passover meal with his disciples; with the full-knowledge that one of the twelve was about to betray Him, He does something that is rather surprising; something that I’m sure none of His disciples would have expected:

Jesus, 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, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. (John 13:3-5)

The Creator of the universe, the One whom the Bible tells us “all things have been created and for” (Colossians 1:16), this is the One who is washing a bunch of smelly/dirty feet. The question we must ask ourselves is why? Why would Jesus do such a thing?

Jesus was seeking to give His disciples a crash-course lesson in humility. Prior to this event, the disciples were arguing as to which of them was the greatest. They all wanted to reign upon the throne of Jesus. They were all willing to fight for the throne, but none of them were fighting for the towel. They all wanted the place of honor, but none of them wanted the place of humility. As parents, let me ask you which place are you fighting for? Are you teaching your children, by your actions, how to serve within the Body of Christ or simply how to be served? Which model of greatness best represents your household – the pyramid of the world, or Christ’s pyramid? Each of us is in a unique position whereby we have an incredibly captive audience that is looking to us for direction. Our kids are learning from us – whether we embrace that or not! You are in the process of leaving behind a legacy, and the question you must ask yourself is what kind of a legacy are you going to leave? What things are you doing right now to follow the Lord Jesus Christ? What steps are you taking right now to discipline yourself for the sake of godliness? What habits are you establishing right now in an effort to serve both your family and the body of Christ? How are you using your giftedness for the benefit of others? True greatness comes through serving and serving flows forth from a disciplined life – a life that has been put in order by realizing all that Christ has done to make a way for you to be made right with Him. May each of us look to discipline ourselves to serve; may each of us be willing to lay down our own selfish wants and our own selfish desires for the sake of serving the One to whom all glory and honor is due! The time is now. Jesus Christ is calling and our children are watching.

• Spiritual Disciplines, Part 1
• Spiritual Disciplines, Part 2
• Spiritual Disciplines, Part 3
• Spiritual Disciplines, Part 4