Lead Like Jesus: Chapel Reflection with Darrell Delaney

Darrell Delaney was delighted to see the Divine Servant statue in the courtyard outside the Vos Chapel when he arrived on the Kuyper College campus in late October. 

The Divine Servant, the artist Max Greiner’s life-size bronze depiction of Jesus washing His disciple Peter’s feet, was gifted to the College by the Zondervan Publishing Company, an imprint of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, in 2023.

And it formed a perfect backdrop to the message Delaney was already planning to deliver to a twice-weekly chapel service that day.

“What we learn today will hopefully be solidified every time you walk past it,” the pastor, podcast host, faith-driven leadership coach, and 2005 Kuyper graduate told the students, staff, and faculty gathered in the pews. 

Turning to the story of Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, found in John 13, Delaney highlighted three crucial concepts, each summed up in a single word: beloved, basin, and blessing.

In the passage, he said, Jesus shows us the importance of grounding our service in our identity as beloved children of God.

“Jesus knows His identity is in the Father and, like Him, we are loved regardless of our performance,” he added.

Though we might not serve others by washing their feet as Jesus did, we all have unique qualities that can be used for God’s kingdom, and Delaney asked the audience to consider what each of theirs might be.

“You all have a basin; what has God called you to serve with?” he asked.

Later on in the passage, Jesus tells His disciples that serving others as He served them will bring them joy which, Delaney emphasized, is true for us as well.  

“When we serve from a genuine heart and a place of sincerity, it does fill our cup. It does bring us joy,” he said, smiling.

He encouraged his listeners to emulate the example Jesus sets for us in the passage before closing with an appropriate prayer: “Thank You for sending Jesus to show us what true leadership looks like. May our lives reflect that.”