Daily Worship (Jan 18)

John 13:12–15 (NIV)
"When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. 'Do you understand what I have done for you?' he asked them. '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.'"

Devotional Thought
In the ancient world, washing feet was the dirtiest job possible. People walked on dusty roads filled with animal waste in open sandals. Usually, only the lowest servant in the house would touch someone’s feet. But in this passage, Jesus—the King of the Universe—gets down on his knees with a towel and a basin. He takes on the "nitty-gritty" work. This isn't just a nice gesture; it is a picture of how his Kingdom works.

This connects deeply to the office of deacon. Deacons are "leaders with a mop." In the world, the higher up you go, the more people serve you. In the church, the higher up you go, the more you are called to serve others. Jesus is showing us that practical needs, like dirty feet or empty stomachs, matter to him. When deacons help the "friendless" or take care of the church building, they are following the exact footprint of Jesus. They make the love of the Gospel visible. For us, this means we should never think a job is "beneath" us. Whether it’s helping a neighbor with their yard or listening to someone who is hurting, we are never more like Jesus than when we are serving. We don't serve to get noticed; we serve because Jesus first served us at the Cross.

COMMA Questions

• Context: Looking at the beginning of John 13, what does it say Jesus knew about his own power and future that gave him the security to serve in such a humble way?
• Observation: What specific items did Jesus use to perform this act of service, and how did the disciples' initial reaction show they didn't understand his mission?
• Meaning: What did Jesus mean when he said he was giving them an "example"? Is he talking about a literal foot-washing ceremony or a heart attitude toward all of life?
• Main Idea: How does the King of Kings redefine what it means to be truly "great" through this act of service?
• Application: What is one "nitty-gritty" or "unseen" task you can do this week for someone in your family or church without seeking any credit for it?

Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for being the Servant King. You didn't just tell us you loved us; you showed us by washing feet and dying on the Cross. Help our deacons and our whole church to lead with a towel and a mop. Give us hearts of sympathy so that our service makes your Gospel look beautiful to the world. Amen.

Acts 6:1–4 (NIV)
"In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, 'It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.'"

Devotional Thought
Growth in the church is exciting, but it often brings "church problems." In Acts 6, the problem was a racial and cultural divide. One group felt neglected, and they were right. The Apostles realized they couldn't fix the food problem without neglecting the preaching. This is why the role of a deacon is so vital. They aren't just "helpers"; they are a defense system for the Gospel.

When deacons handle the "distribution," they are protecting the unity of the church. If the Greek-speaking widows stayed hungry while the Hebrew-speaking ones were full, the preaching of the Gospel would sound like a lie. Who would believe "Jesus makes us one" if the church's lunch line was segregated? Deacons step into the mess to ensure that the church's actions match the church's message. By taking care of the physical needs, they "free up" the Word of God to spread. This teaches us that mercy ministry isn't a distraction from the Gospel—it's a demonstration of it. In our daily lives, we should ask: Is there a "complaint" or a "neglect" in my community that I can help solve so that people can see the love of Jesus more clearly?

COMMA Questions

• Context: The church was "increasing" in number before this problem started. Why does rapid growth often reveal hidden prejudices or "blind spots" in a community?
• Observation: What were the two specific spiritual requirements the Apostles asked for in the men who would be "waiting on tables"?
• Meaning: The Apostles said they must stay focused on "prayer and the ministry of the word." Why is it dangerous for a church if the leaders become too busy with administration to pray?
• Main Idea: How does organized service and mercy ministry protect the church from division and keep the focus on Jesus?
• Application: When you hear a "complaint" in the church or your neighborhood, do you usually join in the complaining, or do you look for a way to be part of a Gospel-centered solution?

Prayer
Father, thank you for the gift of deacons who guard our unity. Help us to be a church that notices the "overlooked" and cares for the "widow." Let our mercy be so fair and so kind that people are drawn to hear the preaching of your Word. Keep us from the sin of partiality and fill us with your Spirit. Amen.

1 Timothy 3:8–10 (NIV)
"In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons."

Devotional Thought
It is easy to be a "servant" when everyone is watching or when the task is glamorous. It is much harder to be a servant in the "nitty-gritty" of daily life. This passage lists the qualities needed for deacons, and they are all about character. Paul says they must be "sincere" and have a "clear conscience." A sincere person is the same on the inside as they are on the outside.

This matters because deacons handle the things people usually fight about: money, property, and who gets help first. If a deacon isn't "clothed with Christ," they might use their position to gain power or favor their own friends. But a deacon who holds onto "deep truths" remembers that Jesus gave up everything to serve us. That truth keeps them humble when they are fixing a leaky roof or helping a family pay their bills. This applies to all of us: God cares more about who we are than what we do. If we want to serve like Jesus, we have to start by letting the Gospel change our secret thoughts and our private habits. When our hearts are right with God, our service to others becomes a natural overflow of his grace.

COMMA Questions

• Context: Why does Paul place these instructions right after the requirements for elders? What does that tell us about the importance of the deacon's office?
• Observation: What are the three specific "temptations" that Paul mentions, and how could these hurt a mercy ministry?
• Meaning: What does it mean to be "tested" before serving? How does a person show they are "worthy of respect" in their normal, everyday life?
• Main Idea: Why is a servant's spiritual integrity just as important as their practical skills?
• Application: What "deep truth" of the Gospel do you need to "keep hold of" this week to help you stay sincere and kind when things get stressful?

Prayer
Lord, thank you that you care about our character. We pray for our deacons, that they would be men of great integrity and sincere hearts. Help us all to live with a clear conscience, knowing that you see everything we do. May our service in the "nitty-gritty" parts of life bring glory to your name. Amen.