Action, not Theory...John 13:8-15

John 13:8–15

Jesus said a strong thing to Peter when He spoke these words: "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me" (John 13:8). Our Lord's rebuke introduces a convicting observation: being a servant is not a sign of inner weakness but of incredible strength.

There is no way to remove the jab and the twist from Christ's words to Peter. He said, in effect, "If you do not allow Me to do this, that is it. Get out!" Anybody who lives under the delusion that Christ was rather weak and spineless has overlooked such statements as this one. Being a servant in no way implies there will never be a confrontation or strong words shared with others.

The Lord may choose to use the reproof of a servant who has earned the right to be heard even more often than that of an aggressive leader type. It certainly worked with Peter. We know he got the message when he blurted out, in so many words, "Give me a bath!" No, that wasn't necessary, only his feet.

After Jesus brought back balance to Peter's overreaction, He sat down for a time of reflection and instruction among the men. "Do you know what I have done to you?" (13:12). What a strange question. Obviously, they knew what He had done. He had washed their feet! But He had much more in mind than the obvious—Jesus always does. He wanted them to think deeply, to learn something very insightful and valuable as an obedient servant. Look at what He told them.

"You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet." (13:13–14)

He told them (and us) to wash one another's feet. What an admonition! Now here's the clincher, "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you" (13:15). Let's read it in a much more popular way: "I gave you an example that you should study about it on Sundays." No.

Or . . . "I gave you an example that you should form discussion groups and meditate on it." No.

Or how about . . . "I gave you an example that you should memorize My words and repeat them often." No.

Jesus said it plainly. "I gave you an example that you should do as I did to you." He was looking for action, not theory.

Commentary author unknown

Obedience...John 13:14-15, 17

John 13:14–15, 17

Reading the words of our Savior, we need to realize the tremendous emphasis He put on obedience. As I think about appropriating Christ's model and commands, three specifics seem important enough to mention.

First, obedience means personal involvement. Jesus told His disciples, "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet" (John 13:14). We cannot serve one another in absentia or at arm's length. It means if someone is drowning in a troubled sea, we get wet, we get in touch. It means if someone drifts away, we don't ignore that person, we reach out to help and restore. Think about this. Honestly now, are you willing to get involved and help at least one person in need? Willingness must precede involvement.

Second, obedience requires Christlike unselfishness. He said it Himself, "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you" (13:15). Let your eyes dig into those words. To pull off this concept, we'll need to see others as Christ sees them. We'll need to risk reaching out, giving up the luxury of staying safe . . . giving up our preferences for His. Unselfishness never comes easy.

Finally, obedience results in ultimate happiness. I love Jesus's affirmation, "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them" (13:17). Notice, in the final analysis, happiness comes from doing these things. Meaning what? Namely this, we have to carry it out before we can enter into the joy of serving. Just studying about it or discussing it produces no lasting happiness. The fun comes when we roll up our sleeves, wrap the towel around our waist, and wash a few feet . . . quietly . . . graciously . . . cheerfully like Christ who was "gentle" and "humble in heart."

Does that mean it will never backfire on us? Am I saying those with servant hearts will not get ripped off or hurt in the process? Does this promise of happiness mean we'll be protected from suffering? No, a thousand times no! To keep everything realistic, we must face the very painful consequences. Even when we have been "gentle" and "humble in heart."

What else can we expect? The perfect Model of obedience finished His earthly ministry as a corpse on a cross.

Father, we are blessed by your kindness and ever loving spirit, your truth truly sets us free in Christ Jesus! Do your will in me and make me closer with you through your son today! In Jesus's name, AMEN!

Commentary Author unknown

The triumphant attitude...John 14:1-14

John 14:1-14

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me." (v.1)

By now it should be fairly obvious to even the newest disciple of Christ that if, like a "corn of wheat afraid to die", we shrink back from being ploughed into the red furrows of suffering, we shall remain alone alone, and unfruitful. Someone has said, "God never uses anyone unless He puts them through the test of suffering and pain." Strong words. Do you find yourself flinching as you read them? I do. Yet it is not wrong to flinch at the approach of a spiritual test. God knows how you feel. The issue, however, is not about flinching; it is about following. Are we willing to open our hearts to the Lord and say: "Do to me as You will"? I suggest the only way we will be able to do that is when we have the thought clearly fixed in our minds that God will never allow us to go through anything without providing all the grace we need to bear it, and will turn the test into a testimony that will eternally glorify Him and make our characters more like His. Jesus, remember, began His ministry here on earth with a wilderness experience, and ended it with "Let not your hearts be troubled", not because they were to be protected from troubles, but because they were to "trust in God". Faith in God will not save you from suffering, but it will save you through it - the suffering can be made into an instrument of redemption. Remember, you cannot bless without bleeding, and you cannot succour until you have suffered.

Not all of you are clean...John 13:3-11

John 13:3–11

The gentle and humble lifestyle of the Savior is nowhere more evident than in the account of John 13, where He washed the feet of His friends, the disciples. In that event, He left us some timeless principles we dare not ignore regarding serving God.

The scene is first-century Jerusalem. Paved roads were few. In fact, within most cities they were unheard of. The roads and alleys in Jerusalem were more like winding dirt trails, all covered with a thick layer of dust. When the rains came, those paths were liquid slush, several inches of thick mud. It was the custom, therefore, for the host to provide a slave at the door of his home to wash the feet of the dinner guests as they arrived. The servant knelt with a pitcher of water, a pan, and a towel and washed the dirt or mud off the feet as each guest prepared to enter the home. Shoes, boots, and sandals were left at the door, a custom still prevalent in the Far East.

If a home could not afford a slave, one of the early arriving guests would graciously take upon himself the role of the house servant and wash the feet of those who came. What is interesting is that none of the disciples had volunteered for that lowly task . . . so the room was filled with proud hearts and dirty feet. Interestingly, those disciples were willing to fight for a throne but not a towel. Things haven't changed a lot since then, by the way.

Read rather carefully the account of what transpired:

Jesus . . . got up from supper . . . and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." Jesus said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean." (John 13:3–11)

Father, forgive us when we let our pride get in the way of serving you by loving others. Thank you for the example you set through Jesus for us to follow. May your Holy Spirit guide me as you continue to teach me your ways. We sing praises to you Father always! In Jesus's name, AMEN!

Ask Your Father...2 Samuel 9

Today's Reading: 2 Samuel 9; Luke 15:11-32

Today's Thoughts: Ask Your Father

"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' " “My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” Luke 15:28-31

I was thinking about the difference between the prodigal son versus his brother. One of the biggest differences between the two was in their ability to ask. The prodigal son asked for his share of the inheritance. His father graciously gave it to him. Not long after that, this younger son left his father’s house and “squandered the wealth in wild living” (as quoted in the NIV). The older

son kept faithfully working and obeying. When the younger son came home with a heart of repentance, the older son was angry because he felt as if he had been mistreated. But really, their father would have been just as fair. One asked and the other didn’t.

Without concentrating on the poor choices that the younger son made, I have been meditating on the relationship of two boys, living under the same roof, and their dad. What gave one the ability to ask? We see the same thing occur in Christianity today. Some of us have learned to ask our Father for more blessings and fruits, willing to take more risks. While others are obedient but angry that nothing extra or miraculous is done for them.

Which are you?  Many of us do not pray this way: “Lord, I know that I don’t deserve one thing for I am a sinner and Jesus has done everything for me already. But I ask for your blessings and for more of the Holy Spirit to do bigger and greater things. Not because of any works of righteousness do I ask, but because of Your mercy. Use me, empower me and fill me to be poured out as a blessing on others as You bless me. I want more Lord and You told me to ask.”

But when you learn to pray this way, miracles happen.

Author unknown

HE IS RISEN! .., Mark 16:6-7

Mark 16:6-7 but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” 

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome were on their way to the tomb Sunday morning to annoit the body of Jesus for the last time. They were unsure how they would be able to reach the body of Jesus due to the large stone in front of the tomb as well as the roman guard. What they found shocked them. The stone had been rolled aside. When they entered, they saw an angel in a white robe. What he told them validates what Jesus had been saying. Mark 9:31 ..He said to “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.” 

Not only by dying on the cross for our sins but rising from the dead did Jesus defeat death permanently so that we could enjoy everlasting life in heaven with the Father. One caveat, as long as we choose Jesus as our savior. 

Praise be to God the Father that He raised His son from the dead for our transgressions. Thank you for freeing us from death and delivering us from our sin. We love you Father, Blessed be your name!, In Jesus name, AMEN!

NO FAITH!...Exodus 32:30

Exodus 32:30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the Lord on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.” 

Aaron, had built a golden calf for the people because the people lost hope in Moses as he had gone up the mountain. The people made a grave mistake, after all that God had done for them, all the miracles he had given them to free them from bondage in Egypt. The 10 plagues...They gave up on God! Does this sound familiar? How many times do you hear someone say, Why would God allow...suffering, pain, crime, murder, child abuse...I can go on & on but the complaint is always the same...NO FAITH! They give up and surrender. 

But Moses went back to God and asked Him to forgive them...Exodus 32:31-32 So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!” 

God had a different plan. He said no, I will deal with them justly but you need to fulfill your mission and keep moving forward! Exodus 32:31-34 But the Lord replied to Moses, “No, I will erase the name of everyone who has sinned against me. Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you. And when I come to call the people to account, I will certainly hold them responsible for their sins.” 

My point is this...Don't lose faith in God. Just because life doesnt go your way, you dont get what you want, because you have to endure pain in this life, dont lose Faith in your Lord! Take heed to what happened to the people Moses lead out of Egypt who gave up on God. Exodus 32:35 Then the Lord sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made. 

Sometimes bad things happen because we invite trouble by turning our back to God. These people gave up on God, turned their back on their Lord and what did they expect. I would think twice before I judge God on the events in my life or face His judgement. And we wonder why bad things happen to people without faith...

Father forgive us of our attitude and disbelief, give us discerment and a second chance to repent of our sins! Thank you for your sending your son, Jesus to die in our place so that we could have that second chance. Its now up to us to choose Jesus! Praise your name Father always! In Jesus's name we pray, AMEN!