Freed to serve

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“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
John 13:3-4 (NIV)

Reading this familiar verse today, I was smacked between the eyes with two little letters. SO.

Jesus knew all things were under His power, SO He stooped to serve His disciples. An example for them that they should do as He had done.

Finding our identity in Jesus does more than make us feel better or help us have a happy life- security in Him does bring peace, but it releases us to become less, frees us to serve with humility, no longer dependent upon and chasing after position or prominence or recognition or approval.

Others can think less of us without threatening our personhood when we are secure in God’s deep love.

Others can misunderstand our motives without making us angry and defensive when we rest in the truth that God sees and knows our hearts.

Others can be confused about why we would do such things without bringing us inner turmoil when we are simply following Jesus’ leading into the good works God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

When we die to self and find true life in Him every day, we are freed to become less. We are freed to serve in radical ways.

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