20161117 What is Godly Teamwork?

I am a cricket tragic.  I love summer time – particularly when it involves lazy afternoons and evenings of watching good teams playing such an idiosyncratic game at an elite level.  So, as you can imagine, my thoughts this week have turned a little to the woes of “Team Australia” (the men’s Test version, to be precise).

I’m mindful of not disenfranchising a large portion of our College community by rambling on about cricket, so will keep my comments brief. The team captain, Steve Smith, was clearly hurting when he talked about what the team needed in the aftermath of our most recent loss in Hobart. He named several characteristics he would like to see defining his team’s culture going forward. It can be tough when all eyes are on you, to perform as you are meant to.

It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world. It was time for him to go to the Father. Jesus loved his disciples who were in the world. So he now loved them to the very end.

They were having their evening meal. The devil had already tempted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. He had urged Judas to hand Jesus over to his enemies. Jesus knew that the Father had put everything under his power. He also knew he had come from God and was returning to God. So he got up from the meal and took off his outer clothes. He wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a large bowl. Then he began to wash his disciples’ feet. He dried them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

He came to Simon Peter. “Lord,” Peter said to him, “are you going to wash my feet? Jesus replied, “You don’t realize now what I am doing. But later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter. “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you can’t share life with me.” “Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet! Wash my hands and my head too!” Jesus answered, “People who have had a bath need to wash only their feet. The rest of their body is clean. And you are clean. But not all of you are.” Jesus knew who was going to hand him over to his enemies. That was why he said not everyone was clean.

When Jesus finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes. Then he returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You are right. That is what I am. I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet. So you also should wash one another’s feet. I have given you an example. You should do as I have done for you. What I’m about to tell you is true. A slave is not more important than his master. And a messenger is not more important than the one who sends him. Now you know these things. So you will be blessed if you do them. John 13 (NRSV)

“Team Australia” is nothing like “Team Jesus” (Jesus’ twelve – who he lived with for a few years). In John 13, Jesus makes it very clear what he expects of his team. He does it by action; he shows his heart. He models ultimate humility – to his fellow teammate, but in the context of His humbling of Himself to God’s will for His life. He washed his disciples’ stinking feet. He gave them all a wonderful blessing after a hard day walking rocky roads with sandals as footwear. Jesus spoke to them about their attitudes – to one another, to those they meet, to God their Father.

He portrayed an active humility, responsive to the moment, completely selfless. It was done in the service of God Himself, but incredibly practical. It was entrusted, not to the elite, but to all who would follow Him, irrespective of their standing. That is, he entrusted this responsibility to those from every walk of life, of any age, of all skill levels. How exciting to be called to that! How humbling! How awesome!

“Team Donvale II” (our College secondary student leadership group) were announced on Monday this week. I was so pleased to see the joy and hear the cheers – it is obvious that this will be a team well supported. I had a chance to lead a devotion on John 13 with the secondary students in assembly just before the announcement.

As it turns out, “Team Donvale I” (our College primary student leadership group) were also announced this week. It will be my prayer for both our primary and secondary student leadership groups that the leadership will be characterised by the servant hearted model that Jesus so clearly portrayed in this passage. I am sure that they will turn their hearts to God, in humility, as they seek His guidance for their work amongst us in the year ahead. May God be glorified in this.