By Pastor Dr. Shana Wise
From Bible Study Series Examine the Disciples of the Gospel
Matthew 20: 20-28, “Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Him with her sons, kneeling down and asking something from Him. And He said to her, “What do you wish?” She said to Him, “Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom.” But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” They said to Him, “We are able.” So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””
As disciples, we must keep the focus on why we do what we do. Jesus is Lord and is the King in the Kingdom of God.
What is greatness? Serving other people.
Questions:
Disciples of Christ focus should be on how to serve God in his Kingdom on earth.
What has shifted your focus from serving other people?
How do you feel when you intentionally go out of your way to serve other people?
Why it is important to hear from God when it comes to serving in His Kingdom?
What other takeaways do you get from this passage of scripture?
Jesus washes his disciples’ feet
John 13:1-17, “Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore, He said, “You are not all clean.” So, when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 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 should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
If serving others is good enough for our Lord and Savior Jesus, then it should be good enough for us. By Jesus washing his disciples’ feet, he was showing that he is willing to tend to the “dirtiest” parts of our being. It took him to change his posture to wash the disciple’s feet and this speaks volumes. To pay attention to one of the most overlooked parts of our body, our feet, and wash them shows that Jesus is intentional in his serving, and we should be also.
Likewise, Peter shows us that we cannot be too prideful to be served by others. You may know people like that, they may also want to serve and bless others, but they do not want the deed returned. Jesus wants his disciples to know the importance of giving and receiving because this is a principle of the Kingdom of God.
Questions and Application
What are some other points you take away from this passage of scripture concerning serving others?
Why should our attitude be pleasing to God when it comes to serving others?
Share a time when you went out of your way to serve someone else that wasn’t the easiest to serve. What did God teach you through that situation?
Challenge for This Week
Look for opportunities to serve other people. Be intentional and willing to get out of your comfort zone to serve.
About the Author
Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor and CEO of Wise Choice Ministries (est. 2016). She is the founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network formally known as Christian Women Preachers United. Dr. Wise is the author of women’s devotional, Acts of Intercession, The Impact of Your Election, and co-author of Basic Ministry Training Manual (available on Amazon) and Chief Women Arise. She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate the Word through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist that appears on social media outlets. Shana is married to Deacon Ron Wise and is the mother of four children.
For speaking engagements email: wisechoiceministries512@gmail.com.
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Acts of Intercession
The Impact of Your Election
Basic Ministry Training Manual
Chief Women Arise
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