This week as we continued to journey through Ephesians and into chapter 5, my heart was taking in some heavy conviction and truth.
The idea of sacrificial love does not come easy, and often times, I look back on my own life knowing I operated from a place of selfish ambition, instead of making true sacrifices.
It’s hard to love like that, isn’t it?
As a recovering people-pleaser, I will even look back on times that I did something that looked “sacrificial” for someone else, when I was really hoping for love and acceptance in return. Like taking a friend a meal after having a baby, I hoped that my offering would solidify our friendship. Or helping a coworker with a task, I thought, “this will make me seem dependable.” Or giving someone a gift and secretly wanting a sincere “thank you for being the best friend ever” in return for it.
When my flesh is involved, I start to wonder: Is anything I do truly sacrificial?
One scene in the Bible that comes to my mind so clearly when I think of this idea of sacrificial love is Jesus washing the disciples feet before He faces His own death and crucifixion.
With so little time left, He chose to partake in an act of selfless love.
Jesus shares why He did this in John 13:13-17, where he says, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (NIV)
The act of Jesus washing their feet was a symbol of what was to come. He had invested in them, spent time discipling them, and now He was preparing the feet of those who were fit and ready to bring the gospel of peace.
There would be nothing given in return. No greater allegiance or deeper friendship. No people-pleasing to look better in their eyes. In fact, in just a few hours Jesus would face betrayal and his friends would scatter in fear.
He did it all for the Father. The Father’s will was on His mind.
It made me ask this question: How often do I wash feet?
In other words, how often do I meet the needs of someone else expecting absolutely nothing in return? How often do I say yes to meet a need that could cost me? Or say yes to a need that’s not convenient or easy?
The message this Sunday gave me a lot to think about, as I’m sure it did for you. I’m going to leave you with this quote from Pastor Jason, because it lit a fire in my heart and I hope it does for you as well:
“When your will is put on His altar, and consumed by the fire of God — the smell and aroma is pleasing to God.”
Let us go out this week and wash some feet, friends! Let us serve expecting absolutely nothing in return. Let us pray harder, be inconvenienced and bothered for the sake of the gospel, and let us look with open eyes to the person whom God has set right in front of us to serve.
The idea of sacrificial love does not come easy, and often times, I look back on my own life knowing I operated from a place of selfish ambition, instead of making true sacrifices.
It’s hard to love like that, isn’t it?
As a recovering people-pleaser, I will even look back on times that I did something that looked “sacrificial” for someone else, when I was really hoping for love and acceptance in return. Like taking a friend a meal after having a baby, I hoped that my offering would solidify our friendship. Or helping a coworker with a task, I thought, “this will make me seem dependable.” Or giving someone a gift and secretly wanting a sincere “thank you for being the best friend ever” in return for it.
When my flesh is involved, I start to wonder: Is anything I do truly sacrificial?
One scene in the Bible that comes to my mind so clearly when I think of this idea of sacrificial love is Jesus washing the disciples feet before He faces His own death and crucifixion.
With so little time left, He chose to partake in an act of selfless love.
Jesus shares why He did this in John 13:13-17, where he says, “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” (NIV)
The act of Jesus washing their feet was a symbol of what was to come. He had invested in them, spent time discipling them, and now He was preparing the feet of those who were fit and ready to bring the gospel of peace.
There would be nothing given in return. No greater allegiance or deeper friendship. No people-pleasing to look better in their eyes. In fact, in just a few hours Jesus would face betrayal and his friends would scatter in fear.
He did it all for the Father. The Father’s will was on His mind.
It made me ask this question: How often do I wash feet?
In other words, how often do I meet the needs of someone else expecting absolutely nothing in return? How often do I say yes to meet a need that could cost me? Or say yes to a need that’s not convenient or easy?
The message this Sunday gave me a lot to think about, as I’m sure it did for you. I’m going to leave you with this quote from Pastor Jason, because it lit a fire in my heart and I hope it does for you as well:
“When your will is put on His altar, and consumed by the fire of God — the smell and aroma is pleasing to God.”
Let us go out this week and wash some feet, friends! Let us serve expecting absolutely nothing in return. Let us pray harder, be inconvenienced and bothered for the sake of the gospel, and let us look with open eyes to the person whom God has set right in front of us to serve.
Erika Pizzo
Erika is an author of various books on the topics of faith, mental health, and victory in Christ. She also hosts the weekly podcast “Temple Care” where she provides regular messages of encouragement. Erika lives with her husband, daughter, son, and their fluffy poodle in sunny Southern California. Her two favorite things are a visit to the beach and a chai latte in hand.