GOD Morning! The Servant is Not Greater

GOD Morning!


The Servant is Not Greater


John 13:1-20


Now before the Passover Feast, Jesus knew that His hour had come [and it was time] for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Having [greatly] loved His own who were in the world, He loved them [and continuously loves them with His perfect love] to the end (eternally).2 It was during supper, when the devil had already put [the thought of] betraying Jesus into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, 3 that Jesus, knowing that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now] returning to God, 4 got up from supper, took off His [outer] robe, and taking a [servant’s] towel, He tied it around His waist.5 Then He poured water into the basin and began washing the disciples’ feet and wiping them with the towel which was tied around His waist. 6 When He came to Simon Peter, he said to Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied to him, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but you will [fully] understand it later.” 8 Peter said to Him, “You will never wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me [we can have nothing to do with each other].” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, [in that case, wash] not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!” 10 Jesus said to him, “Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, and is completely clean. And you [My disciples] are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who was going to betray Him; for that reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”12 So when He had washed their feet and put on His [outer] robe and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done for you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is who I am. 14 So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well. 15 For I gave you [this as] an example, so that you should do [in turn] as I did to you. 16 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. 17 If you know these things, you are blessed [happy and favored by God] if you put them into practice [and faithfully do them]. 18 I am not speaking of all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but [this has happened] in order that the Scripture may be fulfilled: ‘He who eats My bread has raised up his heel against Me [as My enemy].’ 19 From now on I am telling you [what will happen] before it occurs, so that when it does take place you may believe that I am He [who I say I am—the Christ, the Anointed, the Messiah]. 20 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, the one who receives and welcomes whomever I send receives Me; and the one who receives Me receives Him who sent Me [in that same way].”


“I assure you and most solemnly say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one sent greater than the one who sent him.” John 13:16


“The servant is not greater than his Lord; it is enough that he be as his Lord, which was a common phrase among the Jews; See Gill on Matthew 10:24, Matthew 10:25; and as it is there made use of, to inform the disciples they must expect persecution, and to encourage them to bear it with patience; here it is designed to engage to humility; for if a master condescends to perform such an action, much more may a servant:” John Gill’s exposition of the Bible


When I go through hard times, instead of feeling forsaken by God, I must embrace suffering as a way that I can unite my spirit with His spirit.


“Instead, be very glad--for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.” 1 Peter 4:13 NLT


How do I change my way of thinking? Instead of praying, “Please fix it, God, and hurry up,” I must worship. I must spend extra time with Him. I must allow Him to transform my mind. And I must accept that sometimes, I am in a God ordained fog. Although I know that God is not the author of confusion.


“For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace…” 1 Cor. 4:33


I remember, as a child, when my parents would tell me no, wait, or we’ll see. I would bury my face in my hands and weep, feeling like my life was over. Not realizing that my parents were not concerned about my immediate comfort. They were not concerned about making sure that I was happy all of the time. They were most concerned about my wellbeing. They saw the big picture. At times, I felt forsaken by them. I felt like they didn’t care that I was sobbing uncontrollably.


We are God’s children. He is not as concerned about our physical and emotional wellbeing as He is concerned about our soul’s wellbeing.


Do we think that we are greater than our Master? Do we think that we shouldn’t have to suffer? Suffering with Christ actually empowers us to celebrate with Him in victory.


“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you [that is, to test the quality of your faith], as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12 AMP


“Dear Jesus, I must keep visiting this subject, which is actually my least favorite subject in the Bible. I want to turn my thinking around. I want to embrace all of Your plans for me, not only the pleasing plans. Please complete Your perfect work in me, so that I will be perfected in You. How I love You, Jesus. AMEN.”