Joy In Serving: Devotions From Time Of Grace MinistrySample

One: My Savior

The stories that children probably come to love first about Jesus involve his power. What a miracle worker he was! Lord of the sea, master of storms, conqueror of disease, victor over demons, raiser of the dead--there is nothing he can’t do. He is the ultimate superhero, cooler even than Batman or Superman.

As you get older, though, you come to appreciate Jesus even more in his acts of humble service. One of the most powerful stories in all of Scripture comes from Maundy Thursday evening. A few hours before his crucifixion, he taught his disciples a memorable lesson about how servant leadership looks.

Kneeling before each one, he took a basin of water and a towel and washed their feet. It was by service and suffering that Jesus redeemed us. It is his example of humble service that informs and inspires our attitude each day.

My Savior: Born in a barn

This morning I visited a new mom in the women’s pavilion of a local hospital. What a palace for childbirth! Comfortable and pleasant surroundings, soft music, soft lights, attentive nurses, experienced obstetricians, dazzling arrays of technology ready for every need. There were even handmade knit caps and booties for each new babe. Did I mention the marvelous food?

When the Son of God decided to become the Son of Man, he did not arrive on Planet Earth in a women’s pavilion. He landed in a barn—a place for animals, not people. The expectant couple apparently was caught by surprise. They had no booties or blankie. Joseph apparently had to tear up his shirt for the first layette.

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she [Mary] gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:6,7).

The humility of Jesus’ birth, chosen by his Father and no accident, sends a powerful message of what he came to do. He came to experience all of our humanity. He came to suffer for us and with us. He was born in a barn so that we could live forever in his mansion.