Why is Serving a Great Opportunity?
(John 13:2-20)
The passage for this lesson deals with Jesus washing the disciple’s feet. In this passage Jesus is giving a great example of service. Serving God can be a challenge sometimes, but it also has great rewards. In this lesson we will look at some great opportunities that come our way through serving God.
Why is serving such a great opportunity?
1) It is an opportunity to put yourself aside (verse 4).
- In verse 3 we see that Jesus had been given everything from God, yet he took time to put that aside and serve his disciples.
- One of the greatest hindrances to serving is that we think we are too busy or too important to take time and serve others. This is why service is such a great opportunity, it gets you to focus on others instead of yourselves for a change (Philippians 2:4)
2) It is an opportunity to learn something (verse 7).
- Jesus tells his disciples that they may not understand what he is doing right now, but that they will later. Often, we do not understand what we are doing when we are simply serving but if we stick with it we may learn something very valuable.
- Taking on the task of serving especially in the role of a teacher or helper in a Sunday School class or other class can be scary. But the truth is the teacher always learns more than the student.
3) It is an opportunity to be an example (verse 15).
- Jesus was a great example of being a servant (Mark 10:45).
- In many ways we live in a society where no one wants to give up their time and energy to serve. If saved people really want to make a difference in the lives of lost people service can lead to that opportunity. Through taking time to serve others, especially the lost, we may get the opportunity not only to be an example of Jesus but to witness as well.
4) It is an opportunity to do great things (verse 16).
- Great events or great plans may come from great leaders, but it is usually the servants that get to carry them out.
- God is the true power behind his work, but if we are willing to serve we can have the opportunity to see and be a part of these great works.
5) It is an opportunity for happiness (verse 17).
- Jesus says, if ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them.
- There is joy and satisfaction that comes from service that we cannot get anywhere else.
Let us go forth and find a way to serve and take advantage of all these great opportunities.