Do you intend to continue in the covenant God made with you at baptism:
to live among God's faithful people (Monday)
to hear the word of God and share in the Lord's supper (Tuesday)
to proclaim the good news of God in Christ through word and deed (Wednesday)
to serve all people, following the example of Jesus (Thursday)
As we go through the affirmation of baptism vows, we come to the one about serving others, following the example of Jesus. And ultimately, what the affirmation of baptism vows really are all about is modeling our lives after the ministry of Jesus!
Jesus says in Matthew and Mark, "the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve". In John, Jesus says, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done to you."
Throughout scripture, Jesus is showing His disciples that serving others is at the heart of kingdom living and at the heart of discipleship. The cross becomes the symbol of God's sacrificial heart and purpose.
For the disciple of Jesus, a life defined by cross-bearing, cross-carrying, and cross-embracing moments will mean suffering and pain. And we don't like suffering and pain. In fact, we work very hard to avoid suffering and pain in our lives.
Still, the biblical truth is that suffering and pain comes with following Jesus. Serving will take us out of our comfort zone and deposit us in uncomfortable arenas of selflessness and service.
Yet, what we will find, is that it is in following Jesus to the cross, we will be met there by the same life-giving power of God that raised Jesus, as it raises us from our struggle to new and redeeming life.
Serving God, may we serve others as you have served us. Amen.
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