Do You Serve For Yourself Or For Others?
Today I read John 13:1-17 in my reading plan, I was reminded self-sacrificing service is very different, but easily confused with, self-serving sacrifice.
Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him…
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
-John 13:3-5/12-17
Motivations for service
I was struck by Jesus’ self-sacrificing service, both in washing his disciples feet (something no master does) and his soon to be death on the cross. But I was more struck by Jesus’ motivations for service. They were not self-seeking. They were not self-glorifying (although they were God glorifying). Jesus had the most pure of motives when he served.
It brought into question my motives. I know myself well enough to know they are often more self-seeking than I wish to admit. I want to be known as someone who is kind, gentle, gracious, patient, loving, self-sacrificing. And while I hope and pray often that the larger motivations behind those acts is out of a true desire for others to be loved, I know some of it is I want to be seen as good. I want people to value and appreciate me.
This is why Jesus’ sacrifice so struck me. There was not a sinful motivation in his body in these acts of sacrifices.
Self-sacrificing service is very different, but easily confused with, self-serving sacrifice.
Praying for more pure motives,
