LifeLink Devotional

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

It seems that most cultures in the world reference various forms of what has been called shapeshifting.  Greek mythology is filled with stories of physical transformations. The mythological gods would punish humans for their rebellion.  

• Zeus transformed King Lycaon and his children into wolves.
• Demeter transformed Ascalabus into a lizard for mocking her sorrow.
• Athena transformed Arachne into a spider for challenging her as a weaver.

There are also instances where the mythological gods would transform themselves into beings that would be able to better relate to humans.

•  Zeus repeatedly transformed himself to approach mortals as a means of gaining access.
  • To Europa he appeared as a bull
  • To Leda as a swan
  • To Ganymede, as an eagle
  • And to Semele he appeared as a mortal shepherd

Yet one thing is common in most, if not all, of the mythological transformations – they only served the purpose and good of the god. Rarely were they ever for the benefit of the human.

Yet the One True God, Jesus Christ, chose to transform Himself for the benefit of humanity.

Philippians 2:5-8 “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Jesus became a servant so he could save us! He was transformed for our benefit, and for His ultimate glory. But His transformation was different than those of the mythological gods. They only transformed their appearance. No matter what their shape, the actions of the gods were driven by their greed for power. However, Jesus transformed His nature. He became a servant, so all His actions were driven by the desire to serve others in love. He modeled that in the upper room with the disciples.

John 13:4-5  “[Jesus] rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Consider this: Have you worked hard to take on an appearance of good, but you are still driven by greed for power or personal gain? OR, has your nature been transformed by Jesus Christ into the form of a servant, so that you are driven to meet the needs of others in love?

Rise up and take off your outer robes. Wrap yourself in a servant’s towel, and wash some feet.

Pastor John