Key to Happiness!

Key to Happiness! One of the hardest changes we need to make in our own personal lives is that of developing the heart of a servant. Yet, according to Jesus in the 13th chapter of John, our very happiness depends upon it!

10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
(John 13:10-17, King James Version)

Key to Happiness

As I was reading through the above verses, I thought of our natural tendency to only hear what we want to hear. There are many reasons for this. Sometimes we really do not want to change, sometimes we just do not understand, and sometimes we are afraid to change.

The disciples had the same difficulties, hence we see Jesus coming back again and again to some of the same principles He had already taught.

I think one of the hardest changes we need to make in our own personal lives is that of developing a servant's heart. Look at Jesus' words to the disciples.

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

It is obvious that Jesus was not just talking about washing one another's feet. Instead, He was giving them a visual example. As their Master and Lord, He served the disciples. So, what was the lesson?

The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

The servant, being less than the Lord and Master, should also seek to serve others. As a matter of fact, this was so important, that Jesus declared it to be the key to happiness.

Would you desire to be happier? Perhaps there really is something in what Jesus is saying! Let us strive today to find ways that we can serve those around us. I know that we will, indeed, find this to be the key to happiness. Why? Because there is no greater joy and privilege than serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

Next: Betrayal - Verses 18-22