Well I was trying to come up with some good April Fools’ joke, after I introduced a friend of mine as his brother last night in front of a whole gaggle of people, I think I better stop with the jokes. However, one of the guys I was with told me that last year he didn’t go to work on April 1, intentionally. When his boss finally called, he told him that some one had told him they did not have to come in on that day. Thinking he had been tricked his boss laughed it off and told him to get into work. After his arrival at the office, his boss ask him who had called him. That was when the joke was played, as he told his boss that no one called, it was just a big April Fool’s joke. The bossman was not happy. Can you top that one?
Anyway, as we continue to march (er April) through the week towards the great events of the weekend, its hard to pass over a quick look at Jesus washing his follower’s feet.
14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. John 13:14
A really amazing example about leadership, and humility. The Master places himself in a role of a servant to show
the humility that his followers should demonstrate. Boy, this is another of those difficult things isn’t it. Really, talk about an April Fool’s joke, I mean, look, I am, well, ME. and you are, well, of course, YOU. Doesn’t everyone understand who WE are? Like the t shirt from the 70’s “Its hard to be humble when you are perfect” or something like that. (I still remember some girl in elementary school wearing that shirt. She was not perfect!! )
But as followers of the Christ, we are given an example in humility with the footwashing and then later in the week with his humble submission on the way to the cross. I mean look at the constraint he uses:
52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Matthew 26:52-54 (New International Version)
And so we are told to mimic this model, and to put others in front of ourselves. Today, maybe, try this with one person and see how that impacts your relationship with them.
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. — Philippians 2:1-11