THE SEED
“[Jesus] wrapped a towel around his waist … . and began to wash his disciples’ feet.” John 13:4-5
When Jesus was transfigured, Peter wanted to build three shelters. Luke comments, “He did not know what he was saying.” Though the disciples spent time with Jesus, witnessed many miracles, and heard his amazing teaching, they often did not grasp what it meant to follow him. Later in that same chapter, for example, Luke writes, “They did not understand” (9:45). Humanly speaking, Jesus would have had good reason to impatiently “throw in the towel” as he worked with these disciples. Throughout his entire teaching and preaching ministry they often showed that they had barely learned anything. But it’s a cynic who throws in the towel, not a servant. The Saviour, on the night before his death, wrapped a towel around his waist and proceeded to show his disciples that life in the kingdom of God is about humbly serving others. “I have set you an example,” Jesus says (John 13:15). Shall we follow it? Serving others in Jesus’ name can be uncomfortable, humbling, and even painful. It can be costly. Bringing glory to God can be inglorious to ourselves. Will we “throw in the towel” or use the resources we have to serve others? To serve God?
BIBLE READING: LUKE 9:28-36
PRAYER: Jesus, humble us with your humility and move us with your servanthood. In your name we hope. Amen.
AṢỌ INURA
IRUGBIN NAA
“Nigbati o sí mú gèlè, o di ara Rẹ̀ li amure. Lẹhinna o bú omi sinu awokoto kàn, I sí bẹrẹ sí máa wẹ ẹsẹ àwọn ọmọ ẹhìn rẹ, o sí nfi gele tí o fi di amure nù wọn.” Jòhánù 13:4-5
Nígbà tí a pa Jésù laradà, Pétérù fẹ́ kọ́ àgọ́ mẹ́ta. Luku sọ pé: “Ko mọ ohun tí o nsọ.Bi o tilẹ jẹ pé awọn ọmọ ẹhìn lo àsìkò diẹ pẹlu Jésù, wọn rí ọpọ iṣẹ ìyanu tí o ṣe, wọn gbọ awọn àgbà yanu ẹkọ lati ẹnu Rẹ, ni ọpọ igba ni wọn kò mọ ohun tí o pé fún láti tẹle e. Nínú ẹkọ kika kan náà, fún àpẹrẹ Luku kọ iwe pé “Wọn ko loye”. Ni sisọ ọrọ bi eniyan, Jesu ni eredi ti o dara lati “ju aṣọ ìnura” bi o ti n ṣiṣẹ pẹlu awọn ọmọ-ẹhin yii. Jálẹ̀ gbogbo àsìkò iṣẹ́ ìdanilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ àti iṣẹ́ ìwàásù rẹ̀, wọ́n sábà máa ń fi hàn pé àwọn kò fi bẹ́ẹ̀ mọ iṣẹ iransẹ naa. Olùgbàlà, ní alẹ́ ṣáájú ikú rẹ̀, fi aṣọ ìnura kan sí ìbàdí rẹ̀ ó sì tẹ̀ síwájú láti fi hàn àwọn ọmọ ẹ̀yìn rẹ̀ pé gbígbé nínú ìjọba Ọlọ́run jẹ́ nípa sísìn àwọn ẹlòmíràn pẹ̀lú ìrẹ̀lẹ̀. Jésù sọ pé: “Mo ti fi àpẹẹrẹ lélẹ̀ fún yín” (Jòhánù 13:15) Ṣé a máa tẹ̀ lé e? Isin awọn ẹlomiran, ni orukọ Jesu le jẹ, labẹ irẹlẹ, ati paapaa irora. O le jẹ ohùn tí o ṣe ọwọn. Gbigbe ogo fún Ọlọrun le jẹ ohùn ailọla fun ara wa. Njẹ èyí yíò mú wa “ju aṣọ inura sọnu” tabi lo awọn ohun elo ti a ni lati ṣe iranṣẹ fun awọn ẹlomiran? Tàbí lati sin Ọlọrun?
BIBELI KIKA: Luku 9:28-36
ADURA: Jesu Oluwa, fi ìrẹlẹ Rẹ rẹ wa sílẹ ki o si fún wa ní ẹmi ọmọ ọdọ̀. Nínu orukọ Rẹ ni a ni ireti. Amin.