You Can Only Give What You Have Received

James was a young boy growing up in Louisiana. His father felt the strong call to be an evangelist. Unfortunately, being an evangelist meant that he was on the road a lot, away from his family. He would go around the country preaching about Jesus and was rather successful in his ministry. But, things at home began to deteriorate. As a result of not having a father who was present, James felt abandoned. He started to cause a lot of trouble in Primary School. He wanted to fight with everyone. He cheated in his exams. His dad, on one of his trips back home, commented, “This doesn’t look like my son anymore…. I can’t allow that.”

Then, his father did the unthinkable - he gave up his call to be an evangelist. He took up a pastoral role at a church in the countryside. As a result, he was able to spend more time with James - he took him fishing and hunting, reconnected with him, and pulled James back from the wrong path. In essence, James’ dad was willing to sacrifice his own ministry or put it on hold in order to do what was right for his family. Consequently, James started to change for the better. His grades in school started to improve, and he ended up graduating with a doctorate from the University of South Carolina. James would go on to become one of the most influential voices for families in America. James was able to serve the families in America and the world because his father made the choice to serve him first. He freely gave what he had freely received from his father.

In the passage before us today, Peter was reluctant to allow Jesus to wash his feet. It's not surprising considering the social connotation that feet washing had in Israel during those times. So, Peter was doing something noble. But Jesus, in typical fashion, made a shocking comment - “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” The washing of feet was symbolic of the spiritual cleansing of salvation that Peter would receive from the Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross. He did not yet understand its significance, but he wanted to be a part of Christ and whatever Christ was going to do. So Peter, in typical Singaporean FOMO fashion, said, “Not just my feet, but my hands and my head as well!” Talk about FOMO-ism.

Peter did not know it yet, but Jesus had a mission ahead for him that would involve him serving people that he did not want to serve - the Gentiles. He would have to love them and model the love of Christ to them, up to the point of death… an upside-down death on the cross. What Jesus gave to Peter that night - His humility, His servanthood, His love, His sacrifice - would mould Peter’s heart and sustain him for the rest of his life until he reached the cross and completed his mission on earth. Peter served beyond himself because his Master first served him. Freely he received, freely he gave.

Likewise, our Christian life of service must begin by us drawing from the love and life of our Lord. That should be the source that sustains us through our mission here on earth. We must not draw from any other sources - worldly wisdom, mental strength, worldly comfort, etc. Our source must always be the example of Christ. We serve and love because He first served and loved us.

By the way, the James that I mentioned in the story above is Dr. James Dobson, who is the founder of Focus on the Family.

Reflection

• How can you draw from Christ's love and service to you daily so that you are giving what you have received?
• Examine your life - what sources apart from God’s love have you been drawing from?

Application

The best place to draw from the example of Christ is to read the Word of God. Make it a point not to miss a daily devotion so that you are constantly drawing from the well that never runs dry.