Taking Off Your Clothes
In John 13, Jesus showed the full extent of his love for his followers when he took off his outer clothes, wrapped a towel around his waist, and washed his disciples feet. Today, let’s push ourselves to show the full extent of our love for the people in our orbit or sphere of influence by putting on the towel and serving them in some unique and practical ways. Let’s take off the outer clothes of selfishness, pride and self-consciousness, image management and put on the towel of sacrifice and servanthood, and wash the feet of:
our spouse
our children
our friends
our staff or team
our co-workers
our boss
our neighbors
or, even a perfect stranger
As you take off your clothes and wash feet today, there will be a mysterious cleansing effect in your life and in the lives of the people for whom you sacrifice and serve. Who are some others we can serve? What are some practical and unique ways we can serve them?
Popularity: 28% [?]
Tags: Humility, Sacrifice, servanthood
August 24th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
All of these "outer" clothes keep us bound up also. They restrict the free movement that the comes with the Love of Christ.
I pray that we can all be free from selfishness, pride, etc and look to bless and serve those around us.
August 24th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Awesome post brother. If only we would be that daring, that caring like our Lord. Let it be so.
Peace,
Jay
September 5th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
Ok. This posts title sounds like a rap song… it caught my attention, lol!
Another type of people we can serve are our enemies. Jesus did it! The people who seem out to hurt, talk bad about us, lie to us and manipulate. Back stabbers, two faced people… etc. I'm sure I'm the only one who knows these type of people! (neighbors, fellow employees, extended networks of ppl and even extended family members)
September 5th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Man, David, I am trying to be free from these heavy and weighty clothes each day. You are absolutely right – the "outer clothes" do keep us bound so that we cannot bless others. Thanks for adding your voice to the convo. Grace and peace.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Jay, true that! I am striving to be like him in this regard. i fail more often than I succeed, but I thank him for his amazing grace. Thanks for adding your voice to the conversation.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
It worked! The title was designed to gain the attention of the reader. No, you are not the only one who knows these types of people. I think we are most like Jesus when we serve those who hate, mistreat, misuse and say all manner of evil against us. We cannot do this in our own strength; we must be empowered by the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us to conform us to the image of Jesus. Again, thanks for adding your voice.
September 6th, 2009 at 1:52 am
Its hard to take off my clothes, people can sometimes get under your skin and I just want no parts of them. THis is a true test of humility, God expects us to do these things and yes it is a huge struggle for me but the Lord is so amazing. I pray that I can forgive others and put my feelings and pride aside to be obedient for the Lord and not please myself. God knows our struggles, so he is working with us all to get to that place of humility so we can serve and sacrifice.
September 7th, 2009 at 1:55 am
Sandra, thanks for adding your voice to this conversation. It is always a treat to see and hear your heart. Forgiving others is one of the more difficult things to do and yet we don't have to do it in our own power. Because he lives in us, Jesus desires to love and forgive through us. Keeping being led by the Spirit. There is freedom there. Grace and peace.