“Servanthood Leadership, When Practiced Attracts Blessing!”

“Servanthood Leadership, When Practiced Attracts Blessing!”(Jn.13:1-30).
Good morning dear congregation of MM. We thank God for a new day, and that we are back to serve you.
As the plot thickens and Jesus’ days on earth reduces, he continues to teach us life lessons.
In today’s pericope Jesus washes the feet of his disciples; which is a lesson in humility.
He also predicts his betrayal coming from one in his group.
What consoles us in this betrayal is that “this is to fulfil scripture: ‘He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'”
Some theologians wonder if Judas’ action was not also according to scripture.
When Jesus talked of his betrayal from one among his inner circle, the disciple whom Jesus loved asked him, “Lord, who is it?” Jesus answered him, “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him. ‘What you are about to do, do quickly.,’ Jesus told him…”
Judas took the bread and went out. John emphasises , “And it was night.” John’s gospel portrays Jesus as the light of the world, as opposed to the darkness of sin that engrosses the world. Judas going out in the night to execute a diabolic mission; known only by him and Jesus paints the true picture of darkness as the representation of evil! The rest did not know what Jesus wanted him to do, but since he was the treasurer of the group they thought he was assigned to buy something for the Festival or to carry out some almsgiving to the poor.
Questions to ponder: What would have happened if Judas refused the piece of bread that Jesus dipped in the dish? As per the instruction of Jesus: “What you are about to do, do quickly,” What therefore is Judas’ offence?
My friend, while you give your answers to the above questions, I prefer the take home message to be Jesus’ lesson on humility and his emphasis on “Servanthood Leadership!”
When he finished washing the feet of his disciples, he said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
Today Jesus is certainly embarrassed by ministers who have turned the vineyards of the LORD into “Animal Farm” under the leadership of the pigs led by Napoleon.
As for you child of God, the message is clear and simple: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
Jesus is not asking us to go about washing the feet of others, but that we should treat everybody as created in the image of God.
In the vineyards of the LORD, “all animals are equal”; but when the Napoleons and their cohorts chase the Snowballs away, the other animals can no longer know if their sights are failing them when they now read, “All animals are equal, but some are more equal!”
Prayer Request: Pray for the Holy Spirit to make you humble in your daily interaction with other people.
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang!