How would you define success? Is it accumulating money, influence, beauty or power?
Well, of course not. We wouldn’t admit that — at least not out loud.
There’s a phrase that people use: “the ladder of success.” Imaging climbing up that ladder, and then imagine climbing through a window at the top of that ladder. After all, a ladder leans on something, doesn’t it? What if that ladder led you into the wrong window of the wrong house?
I wonder how Jesus defines success. Turns out, he never uses the word. So what DOES he say about the things we should strive after?
This sermon on John 13:1-30 looks at the surprising and topsy-turvy story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, including Judas. How might we take his example seriously as we navigate life in a world drunk on misplaced ideas of success?
The title is “Downward Mobility,” a phrase coined by Henri Nouwen.
Below is the YouTube video version. Under that is the audio-only download. You can also access a link to the “growing deeper” background content as a part of The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan.
YouTube:
Audio-only download:
As mentioned, you can access the extra “growing deeper” background content as a part of The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan (by clicking here) or by finding it wherever you subscribe to podcasts — iTunes (Apple Podcasts), Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or TuneIn). It’s called “When Jesus washed Judas’ feet and set us an example.”
Subscribe wherever you enjoy podcasts:
Thoughts?