City Life Starter

I. The Word: John 13:12-16

“So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, 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 should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” John 13:12-16

During the Passover Meal (Seder) or Last Supper, Jesus washed the disciple’s feet as an example to model servanthood leadership.  I have heard a fair amount of sermons preached regarding what this event means to those who call Jesus  Lord.  Here are some takeaways from this passage.  First, He exemplified through action and then the word.  Second, He reminds His disciples to do follow His example and wash one another’s feet and finally, Jesus called those who follow His example to be blessed.  As Christians, this is the model we follow, to exemplify Christ through servanthood, anything other than this would be considered a shortcoming to what He expects from His followers.  

Counter Culture

The real question is how do we exercise servanthood leadership in a culture that promotes individual success by climbing the ladder through the mindset of getting to success by “any means necessary,” whether it is through stepping over your co-workers or the pursuit of favoritism by deceiving others.  If you are part of this culture, you have two options, 1) adapt to the culture you are part of, or 2) go counter-culture.  I believe the first option doesn’t need an explanation since you probably know far more about the culture your company or organization promotes.  I am more concerned about the second option of going rogue against the group you are part of to go counter-culture.  

Going counter-culture means 1) paradigm shift (through the Word,) and 2) counting the cost (to model Christ.)

Paradigm Shift

Paradigm shift basically means adapting to another way or concept that can change the current paradigm or culture that you are a part of.  If you are looking for a paradigm shift, there is one condition, which is the paradigm shift that you would like to make is something that is normally superior and greater than the one you are currently in.  If you are not convinced or believe that the new direction you are about to take is not superior to the previous one, you will not make the change or even make the effort to do so.  Frankly, it is quite foolish for you to just do it because so and so told me so.  Are you convinced?  Do you truly believe that the change you are about to make will have a greater impact on your life?  

Counting the Cost

Once you are convinced that the paradigm shift you are about to make it worth the change, prior to implementing the changes, you will first have to count the cost.  This is what counting the cost means, you are willing to make the necessary changes even if it causes inconvenience and pain.  If you do not count the cost, here is what can happen, when things don’t go as you planned or initial results cause loss, or better put, when the bullets start to fly, you will give up.  You have to realize that any change in life takes commitment and willingness to endure the pain of change.  Think about it, how many times you heard about life-changing principles that you were promised for the betterment of life and then only to give up in the end?  How many times have you made a “New Year’s Resolutions” only to find yourself giving up after few weeks?  You have not counted the cost, you were mesmerized by fads, excited about the changes, but you did not make necessary commitments of “I will” and “I will not.”  You did not count the cost.

I believe servanthood leadership is the key to exemplifying Christ in the word.  It doesn’t matter if you are a CEO or an entry-level employee in a corporation.  The question is, do you believe that servanthood leadership is superior to the current model you are part of?  If not, why do you believe that your current model is better than Christ’s model?  I pray that you will find today’s devotion is an eye-opener, or at least to question the current model you have adapted.  May our Lord be gracious to you that you will find blessing in His servant-leadership.  JY