DAILY MANNA: DEEPER LIFE DAILY DEVOTIONAL, TUESDAY 18 JANUARY 2022: A SECOND LOOK AT LEADERSHIP

By Pastor W.F. Kumuyi, General Superintendent, Deeper Life Bible Ministry worldwide

TOPIC FOR TODAY: 18/1/22: A second look at leadership

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Acts 9-10

TEXT: John 13:1-15

1 Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.

2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him,

3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God,

4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.

5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.”

11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?

13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.

14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

KEY VERSE: John 13:15

“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you .”

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
If we follow Christ’s footsteps, we’ll leave worthy footprints.

THE MESSAGE:

Leaders in the world, conventionally, crave recognition, respect and honour. They seek to be applauded for every little conduct. The promises they make and the work they do are all geared towards garnering popularity. To them, those they lead must remain grateful for their service.

Jesus Christ is different. He models a distinct type of leadership uncommon in the world. After dinner one day, He did something unusual. He took a towel and a bucket of water, and washed the feet of His disciples.

Probably baffled, none of the disciples questioned this strange action, until Jesus got to Peter. He thought it was demeaning for His Master to wash his feet, a task usually reserved for servants in Jewish households. Jesus explained to him that except his feet were washed, he could not have a relationship with Him. Peter promptly pleaded that his whole body be washed. But Jesus assured him that it was sufficient to wash the feet. When He completed the task, Jesus reminded the disciples that while they rightly called Him Master, they should follow His example and wash one another’s feet.

The standard of leadership expected of believers is much higher than that practised in the world. His message was simple: the Christian leader’s task is to be of service to his people. He should not see himself as a master, but as a servant. His activities must bring benefits to his people whose spiritual and temporal wellbeing must remain his preoccupation. Only then can he truly claim to be walking in the footsteps of the Lord Jesus Christ.

SPECIAL NOTICE:

Beloved Reader, Remember! John 3:3 says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless ye are born again, ye cannot see the kingdom of God.”

If you are ready to give your life to Christ Jesus, please pray the displayed prayer below in faith:

Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I confess all my sin, have mercy on me, forgive me all my sin. Lord Jesus come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and Personal Saviour. I believe in my heart You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You Lord for saving me, in Jesus name Amen.

If you just prayed the prayer of salvation! Congratulations! You are now born again. You need to belong to a Bible-Believing Church where you can know more. For testimonies, counselling, prayer requests:
write to HELP LINES: +234(8157991934, 8157991936, 8157991937) or ltm@deeperlifeonline.org.
Beware! This Scripture: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold,” Matt 24:12, is happening in our days.
Our prayer is: any power or any problem that will kill our love for God, blood of Jesus shall destroy and flush them away from us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

Thank you for your patient with us. And thank you for all your comments, observations, feedbacks and time spent on this platform. We cherish your presence here.

Beloved! We are in perilous time when kidnappings, banditry and other vices have become daily occurrences. But the Lord is saying, do not be afraid! Be strong in the Lord! Be bold & be courageous!

In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, you shall not be a victim to whatever calamity flying around by day or by night, in the name of Jesus, Amen!
Shalom!