JOHN 12:26

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honour the one who serves me.

TO PONDER

Jesus used many well-known and understood relationships to help us understand the relationship he wants to have with us. Some are parent/child, ruler/subject and master/servant. We probably warm mostly to the parent/child relationship for the sense of love and security it gives us. But Jesus wants us to also understand that we have responsibilities in these relationships. And here he uses the master/servant model for what he wants to teach us. 

Following Jesus is not like signing up to membership of a fitness club and then it is up to us whether we go or not.  Following Jesus means getting down and dirty with whatever Jesus is doing and wherever it is happening. Sometimes it is messy, sometimes it will be smelly and sometime it may be heart rendering. Maybe our role is to hold the torch so that Jesus has light to work by, or to just hold a person’s hand.  But we can’t do that if we are not there beside Jesus while he is working.

There is an upside; we will see the Master at work, bringing comfort and healing. Our faith and trust will grow as we see Jesus’s renewing and healing power at work. There is no glory for us in this, just a growing sense of awe and wonder at the majesty of our God.

PRAYER: Loving Father, we really struggle to fully understand why you would want to involve us in the work you are doing to bring your healing to hurting people. Continue to open our eyes, ears and hearts to see where you are working and respond to your call to follow you. Amen

Today's devotion written by Charles Bertelsmeier, LifeWay Epping