May 22 – 1 Samuel 10:9-27, 1 Samuel 11, 1 Samuel 12 John 12:37-50, John 13:1-17 Psalm 66:1-12
1 Sam 12:24-35
Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you and your king.”
So Samuel is about to step out of the spotlight. The order that God established – that the Lord would rule and men would lead and judge would stop. The people wanted a king instead. They wanted to fit in and be like the world around the.
God knew this would happen and the trouble it would lead to. Kings put the focus on man, but true leadership puts the focus on God.
But they wanted a king. So they’d get one. And all the problems that brings.
John 13:14-16
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
I have heard of times in churches where the leadership have washed the feet of those in a church, following this example. However, if this is just a gesture we’ve somewhat missed the point. It’s not really about washing feet. It’s about realising we are all in this together. None of us are above the other. Those who serve should to so humbly. And those who lead should also do so humbly.
Church is not about who can be the most impressive, but about seeing a need and meeting it. We are called to love one another. Love is not passive. It is active.
