Jim Mann
A.W. Tozer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God.” It really does matter how we think about God; these thoughts affect everything else.
So who is this God of heaven? There is a lot of information in the Old Testament to help us answer that question. But it is the New Testament that brings us an even clearer picture. Herein lies the beauty of Jesus’ incarnation—God taking on flesh.
John speaks of Jesus in terms of “what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands” (1 John 1:1). Here is how the author of Hebrews describes it for us, “Long ago God spoke to the fathers by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things and through whom He made the universe” (Hebrews 1:1-2).
Jesus is the revelation of the God of heaven. If you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus; holy, miraculous, all-powerful, enthroned in glory, yes. But also approachable, humble and loving. As Eugene Peterson says, He is God with a smile…with a twinkle in His eye and a joke for His friends. He’s the God who makes breakfast (see John 21).
Jesus reveals to us a serving God. Can you imagine? When mankind was in trouble, Jesus left heaven to rescue us. He said Himself, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
God serve us? We’re tempted, like Peter, when Jesus went to wash his feet in John 13 to say, “No, Lord…I’m unworthy. But if you really insist on washing my feet, go ahead and wash all of me.” It turns out that Peter was missing the point. In their conversation, Jesus let Peter know: I’m not washing you, I am serving you. There’s a big difference.
Why would Jesus serve us? Why would the Creator serve the created? As challenging as it may be to accept, Jesus serves for two reasons. The first reason is very simple: He loves us. God is love (1 John 4:8); love is the very nature of His being. The second reason Jesus serves us is because He wants us to join Him in service. After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus was explicit, “For I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you.” (John 13:15)
If, like Peter, you’ve acquiesced to Jesus’ service, will you not also join Him in serving your neighbors? See you Sunday!
Jim Mann, Ph.D. pastors New Life Church at Robson Ranch, which meets at the Robson clubhouse on Sunday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Visit www.Robson.NewLifeDenton.org for more information.