Birchwood Community Church

One of the most striking things that Jesus ever did is in John Chapter 13, where we read of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. At the time in His life when the scripture says that He fully knew that He had come from God and was going to God via the cross. He deliberately took a towel and did a servant's job. He set us an example - serving each other like He did is something that we should always seek to copy.

In practice this means that we should:

 - act in a way that is relevant, which means that we should meet whatever needs we see and do this in a way that helps. Their feet needed washing - no-one had done it so He did
 - recognise that we are driven by another person's agenda and so we should seek to do what they need rather than what they want.

I was struck by the example of Doug Horley and his team during their recent visit to us in showing me what this looks like. After they had finished the Sunday morning service they made themselves available to pray with anyone who wanted it. Many took them up on this offer, and when folk stopped coming forward, they started to pack away their equipment which took quite a time. After they had loaded up they were going to drive down to Epsom which is about a further 2 or 3 hours. And all this after a weekend away from home, being on the go and giving all the time.

Half-way through the packing up, one of our younger children went and asked for prayer. Without any delay, they stopped and prayed with her, despite the pressures and tiredness they must have felt. I was challenged - would I have done the same in their shoes? I'm sure Jesus would, because as He said, "you also should wash one another's feet".

Let's serve each other and by so doing make Jesus real in His church here.