The Upper Room Devotional 19th February 2025 – Joyful Service

THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 19TH FEBRUARY 2025, WEDNESDAY MESSAGE

Read The Upper Room Devotional 19th February 2025 written by Wayne Greenawalt (Wisconsin, USA)

TOPIC: Joyful Service

Today’s Reading
John 13:1-17

Since you know these things, you will be happy if you do them. – John 13:17 (CEB)

Today’s Message
On the first morning of our cruise, my wife and I were eating breakfast in the cafe. We overheard a conversation between a busboy and the people seated at a nearby table. It soon became apparent from their dialogue that the man clearing the table was not a busboy but the ship’s captain! Despite his important position on the ship, he occasionally waits on tables, allowing him to engage with all the passengers on the voyage.

In today’s familiar passage from the Gospel of John, Jesus washes his disciples’ feet to teach an important lesson: if he, our Lord, is willing to serve others, we need to be willing to do the same. He said, “I have given you an example.” He then added that happiness comes from following his example. Jesus’ teaching contradicts society’s norm by telling us that happiness comes from serving others, not from others serving us. There is a special joy that accompanies serving others in a spirit of humility. It is not enough simply to agree with Christ’s teaching; we must also follow his example.

Today’s Prayer
Loving Lord, help us to follow the way of life you lived on earth. Show us whom we can serve today, and give us the humility to do so. Amen.

Thought for the Day
I will find happiness when I serve others.

Prayer Focus
For humility to serve others

The Upper Room Devotional 19th February 2025, is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More