The Fool's Success

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John 13:14-15

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.

 

Bible Reading for a Year [bible]Psalm55[/bible]; [bible]0acts27[/bible]; [bible]levit20-21[/bible]

How do you measure success? Is it by wealth, achievement, or power? If we measure success by these standards, then Jesus, who had been rejected by His society and had no place to sleep, can be categorized into the fail ones. But we don’t dare to do so, do we? So, we should realize that our success in the eyes of God has nothing to do with worldly things, because we have to follow the example of Jesus.

So, what is Jesus’ main mission? In the above verses, we see the real demonstration of Jesus’ purpose to come to this world: to serve. When the disciples argued with each other about who is the biggest among them and who will sit beside Jesus when He rules as king, Jesus resolved by showing an act, that was washing their feet.

In Jewish culture at that time, a slave who washes feet was a slowest slave. Jesus clearly taught His disciples that anyone who wants to be the greatest must be a servant to his brothers ([bible]0luke22:26[/bible]). A success according to the Kingdom of God is about how we serve God and others with humility. It has nothing to do with how great our ministry is, in which congregation or church we serve. It is about our heart.

After washing feet, Jesus was tortured and then crucified. He was dead as a criminal at that time. His disciples were dispersed. In the end of His life, He was by himself and suffered. In the eyes of human, it is a failure. But it is not to God, because on the third day Jesus was risen and alive.

For some people, chasing divine purpose is a foolishness and madness, as well. Why? Because, following the example of Jesus requires price to pay, leaving the comfort of the world, and frequently being judged as a losers by others. However, do not give up and lose heart, because there is a crown for us when we enter the finish line.

 

The measurement of success in the Kingdom of God is not associated with the worldly achievement but with the characters and how we serve God and others.

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