Scripture:
Genesis 18:1-8 ESV
[1] And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. [2] He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth [3] and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. [4] Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, [5] while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” [6] And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes.” [7] And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly. [8] Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
Observation:
Abraham was sitting at the door of his tent, probably trying to avoid the hot sun when he lifted his eyes and saw some men standing there. Wanting them to feel welcomed, he springs into action. First, he showed them honor by bowing down to them. This is a servant’s position and a sign of submission. Abraham was showing the three men that he was not only glad to see them but that he was ready to serve. Making sure he had found favor in their eyes; he asked them to stay. Requesting that water be brought to wash their feet. Another act of humility and submission, not to mention service. These men sit as Abraham washes their feet, has his wife make bread, and then kills a fatted calf to feed them and meet their needs. I feel like I don’t have to tell you his heart was to serve. Allowing them to rest and feeding them.
Application:
A servant’s heart is important. I could produce a lot of scriptures that would confirm that. Honestly, it’s kind of contagious. If we turn a chapter ahead, we see Lot with the same type of approach. My question is, where is your heart? If you see a need, do you spring into action, or do you wait for someone else to do it? Are you ready to make someone feel welcome, or do you stand back and want them to come to you? I want to point out that Abraham’s position of service was by choice. He had been told he would be the father of great nations. Yet he chose to serve. We see that same position in Jesus Christ as well. Knowing He is the Savior of the world; HE chooses to wash the feet of the men HE was leading. My point is that leaders serve.
I remember when I was in Teen Challenge, no one wanted to do kitchen duty. I mean, who wants to wash the forks of 65 men, let alone plates and all that? Shortly after I got there, I saw a need. I got up after my meal and started washing the dishes. Most of the men didn’t understand it. They had better things to do. But I didn’t care. My thought was if my Savior can wash some feet, why can’t I wash some forks? My attitude towards service has not changed. I still love to do so, and I could run down a list of things I do, but I’m not looking for a pat on the back from men. Service is my heart; I want to meet the needs of others. It’s how I love my neighbors, as I love myself.
I want people to feel important, to know that they are loved. From the ones that the world sees as important all the way to the ones who feel not important at all, the ones I tend to focus on are the ones who feel like they don’t matter the homeless, the drug addict, the x-con, the lowly. In fact, they are the ones just like me they just need to see Jesus, and if service is how that happens, I am going to serve.
Prayer:
Father, help us, let us stay right-sized. I never want to be too good to serve. Help me to see the needs of others and do my absolute best to meet those needs. You have given me resources and a heart for service, and I thank You for that. You have given us Your Word to mold our lives. Let us always remember the position Jesus Christ took when HE took off HIS outer garment wrapped a towel around HIS waist and started washing the feet of HIS followers, giving us a heart like HIS. Your Word tells us to consider others as more important. I pray that we truly stand in that spot. I know that I am nothing without You. Thank You, Father, for picking me up when I didn’t know how to pick myself up. It’s in Jesus’ name. I pray, amen