Have I mentioned how much I love the Gospel of John? It's my favorite book of the Bible to read. I like it so much because it paints such a vivid picture of Jesus and the life he brings with such interesting language and imagery. Today, we're walking into chapter fifteen and another powerful bit of teaching from our Lord. Please read through verse 17 and then again, asking the Holy Spirit to imprint it on your heart.
"Remain [or abide] in me, as I also remain in you....If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit." (v. 4-5)
As I read this, I am thinking about how I want my life to be full of good "fruit." I'm thinking along the lines of some sweet character, picking ripe opportunities, enjoying satisfying relationships and bringing good things to the lives of everyone around me. I don't just want a couple of pieces here and there. I want to be fruit-full. I'm talking a horn of plenty!
And the secret to living that kind of life is all over this text. It's one thing that Jesus keeps saying: "Remain in me. Abide in me. Make your home in me." That's what I keep hearing today. I need to focus on just being in Jesus.
I abide in Jesus when I come to him as a real Divine person, who loves me personally and knows my name and my struggles and my joys. A close connection with Jesus comes with practicing the spiritual disciplines. It’s reading your Bible listening to God, thinking about what he’s saying to you and talking to him about it. It’s about slowing our frantic pace, or at least finding moments within it to stop and soak in some of his wonder and celebrate his goodness regularly. Then we can approach our activities with a sence of his presence with us, all of life lived with him and for his glory.
I've served a lot in his Kingdom. That's part of living a fruitful life. It's serving others in Jesus' name, listening to them or helping them, guiding or encouraging them to experience God's love. Yet this fruit-bearing isn’t primarily about going out and living an even faster-paced life doing all kinds of things for God. It’s doing more with God. It’s about learning to enjoy him more, lean on him, making myself available just to be with him, and then carrying his purposes into my everyday activities. Abiding in him is also about spending moments of the day intentionally resting in his presence, loving him, seeking him, being filled with more of him.
That produces a life-giving relationship with God. And it's something I want more of.
So, how do you "remain" or "abide" in Jesus? We would like to know what specific practices most help you feel connected to Jesus? Please comment below (choose "Anonymous" in the "Comment As" field, or you can sign in first at the top right corner of the page).
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
My True Advocate
Are you ready for a Word from God today? I am! This is Michele and I am excited to share with you what God is sharing with me in the remaining portion of John 14. But before we move forward please take time to read Chris' blog from yesterday. It is a great reminder that Jesus believes in us. What an awesome thought! The reading for today is John 14:15-31. Ponder the magnificence of what God is telling you in this text.
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. (v. 15)
Comforter. Encourager. Counselor. Someone who pleads on the behalf of someone else. All of these define what an advocate is. We all need someone to be there for us. A friend or a listening ear or someone to pick us up when we feel like we've failed. After all, life is hard and it would be close to impossible to live without the aid of others. But, this verse is telling us that this other Advocate is much more than someone who will come along side us when times get hard.
First of all, this Advocate that Jesus is talking about is sent to us by the Father. And, second of all, he will never leave us. We've all had supportive people in our lives who at one time or another leave us. Maybe they move away or get another job or they leave the Bible study group or church we're involved in. This can happen for several different reasons.....but they move on. People come and go. Even when we feel as if we have a great support system of friends and family, people will inevitably disappoint us. It's so comforting to know that we have an encourager who will never leave us! The text goes on to tell us that this Advocate will live in us. Think about it.....really think about it! God has sent us a comforter who not only supports us but will never leave us because he lives inside us. Wow, what an amazing thought! I truly am never alone!
But.....it gets even better than that!
I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. (v. 27)
Who doesn't want some peace?? I hope that all of you reading this know what God's peace feels like. It only comes from having a relationship with the one true God. There is no other way to get real peace...it just doesn't exist outside of him. If you're reading this and have no idea what real peace is please find someone who you think does and speak to them or comment anonymously at the end and we would love to share with you what it means to have a relationship with your Creator.
I am reminded of someone I know who is not a believer. She spends a small fortune in an attempt to improve her appearance. One thing after another! She always says, "I will be happy after I have ____ done". Time after time it's something else. But, never true happiness or peace within her. There are many other ways to chase what we think will complete us. It may be success, monetary gain, the material possessions one has, the people in our circle of friends, etc.
Everyone is looking for true peace and happiness. Unfortunately, if you don't know the only one who can really give you those gifts to the fullest, you will come up empty every time. I guarantee it! The peace he gives us far surpasses anything this world could ever attempt to give.
"So be not troubled or afraid". No need to fear anything.....even when people let you down and you feel up against a wall. Those of us who believe have the Holy Spirit in our hearts.....which is more than all the things this world can offer us!
Please feel free to comment anonymously if not publicly. We would love to hear your thoughts on the blog and each entry specifically. We want to bless you so you can bless others!
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. (v. 15)
Comforter. Encourager. Counselor. Someone who pleads on the behalf of someone else. All of these define what an advocate is. We all need someone to be there for us. A friend or a listening ear or someone to pick us up when we feel like we've failed. After all, life is hard and it would be close to impossible to live without the aid of others. But, this verse is telling us that this other Advocate is much more than someone who will come along side us when times get hard.
First of all, this Advocate that Jesus is talking about is sent to us by the Father. And, second of all, he will never leave us. We've all had supportive people in our lives who at one time or another leave us. Maybe they move away or get another job or they leave the Bible study group or church we're involved in. This can happen for several different reasons.....but they move on. People come and go. Even when we feel as if we have a great support system of friends and family, people will inevitably disappoint us. It's so comforting to know that we have an encourager who will never leave us! The text goes on to tell us that this Advocate will live in us. Think about it.....really think about it! God has sent us a comforter who not only supports us but will never leave us because he lives inside us. Wow, what an amazing thought! I truly am never alone!
But.....it gets even better than that!
I am leaving you with a gift- peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. (v. 27)
Who doesn't want some peace?? I hope that all of you reading this know what God's peace feels like. It only comes from having a relationship with the one true God. There is no other way to get real peace...it just doesn't exist outside of him. If you're reading this and have no idea what real peace is please find someone who you think does and speak to them or comment anonymously at the end and we would love to share with you what it means to have a relationship with your Creator.
I am reminded of someone I know who is not a believer. She spends a small fortune in an attempt to improve her appearance. One thing after another! She always says, "I will be happy after I have ____ done". Time after time it's something else. But, never true happiness or peace within her. There are many other ways to chase what we think will complete us. It may be success, monetary gain, the material possessions one has, the people in our circle of friends, etc.
Everyone is looking for true peace and happiness. Unfortunately, if you don't know the only one who can really give you those gifts to the fullest, you will come up empty every time. I guarantee it! The peace he gives us far surpasses anything this world could ever attempt to give.
"So be not troubled or afraid". No need to fear anything.....even when people let you down and you feel up against a wall. Those of us who believe have the Holy Spirit in our hearts.....which is more than all the things this world can offer us!
Please feel free to comment anonymously if not publicly. We would love to hear your thoughts on the blog and each entry specifically. We want to bless you so you can bless others!
Monday, October 3, 2011
He Believes in Me
Ah, Monday. But it's going to be a good one! It's so encouraging to have confidence that God loves us and is inviting us to walk with him through each day. Do you enjoy reading this blog? I only do this to bless others, but I need to know if it's of help to you. Do you share it with your contacts? Let me know how I can make it better.
I'm picking up our conversation with God where we left it last time and reading John 14:7-14. These teachings are among the last that Jesus gave, so we can count on the fact that he's getting us focused on what is foundational.
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (v. 12)
I've read it before. I've studied it. I've listened to different explanations. It still puzzles me. I would never in a million years even think of suggesting that I have ever done anything that would rival what Jesus did, much less exceed it. Yet Jesus said I would. What in the world is he getting at?
I've certainly attempted some big things for Jesus. I've wanted to do something great. But at best, my efforts have been fairly pedestrian next to the earth-shaking ministry of Jesus. He was bodily in action here for only three-and-a-half years and I've been at it for seventeen. But I don't feel like I've accomplished in all that time what he did on any given day.
But here's the thing. Jesus says that you and I will continue doing what he started, and we'll have his power from heaven to call on (v. 13-14). We'll also have the power of the Holy Spirit within us, as he'll go on to say in the next paragraph. The thing that strikes me is that Jesus believes in me. He believes in you. He believes in us so much that he has invited us into this partnership with him to continue his mission. That's an amazing reality!
His plan is to continue to shake the world with the life-changing love and grace of God through his followers...all of us! I can look around and I admire the big-time ministries of other men and women. I can see the major impact that people like Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Beth Moore and others have had. But Jesus doesn't say that certain ones of his followers will do what he's been doing and even greater things. He says "anyone who has faith in me," anyone who trusts me enough to believe what I can do with them and through them. This is really open-ended!
So I've got to keep at it. I may feel like I haven't accomplished that much but there's lots of life left. Moses was 80 before God really started using him in a major way. The first 80 years were all about preparation.
And what about you? Do you let yourself dream about what Jesus might want to do through you? Why don't you take some time today and all week to ask him about it. Listen to what he may speak to your heart. Open your eyes to the needs around you. Go. Walk. Talk. Ask. Pray. Gather. Do. Let's just take a step. And remember, Jesus believes in you.
It's easy to leave a comment (don't forget my questions at the beginnning). Just click in the Comment window below and type. In the "Comment As" field you can choose "Anonymous." Or you can create a Google sign-in and comment by name (see "How to Sign In" at the top of the right column).
I'm picking up our conversation with God where we left it last time and reading John 14:7-14. These teachings are among the last that Jesus gave, so we can count on the fact that he's getting us focused on what is foundational.
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. (v. 12)
I've read it before. I've studied it. I've listened to different explanations. It still puzzles me. I would never in a million years even think of suggesting that I have ever done anything that would rival what Jesus did, much less exceed it. Yet Jesus said I would. What in the world is he getting at?
I've certainly attempted some big things for Jesus. I've wanted to do something great. But at best, my efforts have been fairly pedestrian next to the earth-shaking ministry of Jesus. He was bodily in action here for only three-and-a-half years and I've been at it for seventeen. But I don't feel like I've accomplished in all that time what he did on any given day.
But here's the thing. Jesus says that you and I will continue doing what he started, and we'll have his power from heaven to call on (v. 13-14). We'll also have the power of the Holy Spirit within us, as he'll go on to say in the next paragraph. The thing that strikes me is that Jesus believes in me. He believes in you. He believes in us so much that he has invited us into this partnership with him to continue his mission. That's an amazing reality!
His plan is to continue to shake the world with the life-changing love and grace of God through his followers...all of us! I can look around and I admire the big-time ministries of other men and women. I can see the major impact that people like Rick Warren, Bill Hybels, Beth Moore and others have had. But Jesus doesn't say that certain ones of his followers will do what he's been doing and even greater things. He says "anyone who has faith in me," anyone who trusts me enough to believe what I can do with them and through them. This is really open-ended!
So I've got to keep at it. I may feel like I haven't accomplished that much but there's lots of life left. Moses was 80 before God really started using him in a major way. The first 80 years were all about preparation.
And what about you? Do you let yourself dream about what Jesus might want to do through you? Why don't you take some time today and all week to ask him about it. Listen to what he may speak to your heart. Open your eyes to the needs around you. Go. Walk. Talk. Ask. Pray. Gather. Do. Let's just take a step. And remember, Jesus believes in you.
It's easy to leave a comment (don't forget my questions at the beginnning). Just click in the Comment window below and type. In the "Comment As" field you can choose "Anonymous." Or you can create a Google sign-in and comment by name (see "How to Sign In" at the top of the right column).
Friday, September 30, 2011
Take a Stand
Jesus has something crucially important to say to us today. Gotta switch off the noise and listen! I'm reading John 13:36 through 14:6 today. If you have a Bible, jump in there with me. If not, you can use a site like www.biblegateway.com and read from a number of different translations.
Peter: "Jesus, I will lay down my life for you!"
Jesus: "Will you really? Before the rooster crows in the morning you will have disowned me three times!" (13:37-38)
I can relate a little to Peter here. There have been times I wanted so much to do the right thing, but ended up doing the wrong thing. And I have to ask myself if Peter is the only one who disowned Jesus. There are certain contexts in which it takes courage to stand up and be counted as his follower. I don't ever want to disown him either by my words or by my actions. Yet I fear that at some point, I have. So maybe we better give Peter a break.
I can only imagine what Christians in Communist or Muslim countries must go through and the threats they face. I think I'm going to pause and pray for them, as well as myself. If I were in their shoes, I would be so strengthened knowing that my fellow disciples across the ocean are praying for me. In fact, I'm going to commit to praying for persecuted Christ-followers around the globe daily for the month of October. If I can do that, perhaps their plight will really sink in and they will become part of my heart. I might even read up about some of them on Voice of the Martyrs.
There is so much in life that is tough or confusing or both. Picking up on yesterday's post, I'm reminded of the wonderfully simple way that Jesus calls me forward.
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (14:6)
When I'm confused, the only truth I really need to know is the Truth. I just need to know Jesus. When I'm feeling lost and directionless, I know that the way forward is the Way. I just need to hang onto Jesus and trust that he will lead me where he wants me. When I'm feeling threatened and fearful about my safety or well-being, my life is filled with the Life. And that Life doesn't ever have to feel threatened because it is secure and it is mine, protected by Jesus himself.
He's the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I'm taking my stand right there. Yeah, he's worth standing up for!
Is anybody out there? Let me hear from you! Take a second and comment below.
Peter: "Jesus, I will lay down my life for you!"
Jesus: "Will you really? Before the rooster crows in the morning you will have disowned me three times!" (13:37-38)
I can relate a little to Peter here. There have been times I wanted so much to do the right thing, but ended up doing the wrong thing. And I have to ask myself if Peter is the only one who disowned Jesus. There are certain contexts in which it takes courage to stand up and be counted as his follower. I don't ever want to disown him either by my words or by my actions. Yet I fear that at some point, I have. So maybe we better give Peter a break.
I can only imagine what Christians in Communist or Muslim countries must go through and the threats they face. I think I'm going to pause and pray for them, as well as myself. If I were in their shoes, I would be so strengthened knowing that my fellow disciples across the ocean are praying for me. In fact, I'm going to commit to praying for persecuted Christ-followers around the globe daily for the month of October. If I can do that, perhaps their plight will really sink in and they will become part of my heart. I might even read up about some of them on Voice of the Martyrs.
There is so much in life that is tough or confusing or both. Picking up on yesterday's post, I'm reminded of the wonderfully simple way that Jesus calls me forward.
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (14:6)
When I'm confused, the only truth I really need to know is the Truth. I just need to know Jesus. When I'm feeling lost and directionless, I know that the way forward is the Way. I just need to hang onto Jesus and trust that he will lead me where he wants me. When I'm feeling threatened and fearful about my safety or well-being, my life is filled with the Life. And that Life doesn't ever have to feel threatened because it is secure and it is mine, protected by Jesus himself.
He's the Way, the Truth, and the Life. I'm taking my stand right there. Yeah, he's worth standing up for!
Is anybody out there? Let me hear from you! Take a second and comment below.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
The One Thing to Focus On
The sun is illuminating the big, blue sky outside my office window. I have an icy glass of water on one side and my Bible on the other. Something good is bound to happen! I've asked Jesus to speak his words of life to me and he is, through the pages of John's gospel. He's given me just a short passage to focus on today: John 13:31-35. Five short verses. But I couldn't get beyond verses 34 and 35. So check it out!
I don't need to go any further that that right now. Nothing smothers spiritual growth more than what I call the what else mentality. Funny how we want to hurry right on by foundational, potentially life-changing statements like that one and see what else we can mine out of Scripture. But here it is: The Christian life in a nutshell. It's Theology 101. It's also Theology 201, 301, 401 all the way up to Th.D. It's fine and good to study and explore the finer points of doctrine, but until we get this one concept absolutely mastered we would do better to just get a laser focus on accomplishing that:
"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
If our knowledge of Scripture causes us to love other people less and drives wedges between us, then our theology has taken us the opposite direction from the heart of Christ. Healthy, Jesus-focused theology makes us more caring, more accepting, more humble, more willing to sacrifice our own desires for the good of others. It makes us bridge-builders instead of wall builders. It drives us to people, not away from them.
What does God want from me? He wants me to love him with all my heart and he wants me to love the people around me.
the people down the street
the people in that other church building
the people in that other part of town
the people with those annoying traits
the people I don't yet understand
the people that are "moving my cheese"
the people that inconvenience me
the people from that other political party
the people in my own house
even the people across the globe.
"Love one another. Love them with the same kind of all-out love I've shown for you. Lay down self in favor of relationships." There is no greater cornerstone of life than that. It's not confusing. It's not complicated. And it is so spiritually and emotionally liberating.
I think I'm just going to focus on that for a while until I get a whole lot better at it. It's a supernatural thing, you know. Only God can give me that love. But I've got to ask him for it, receive it and choose to live by it. What if everyone loved like this? Wow.
If you agree with Jesus that the world needs more love, why don't you share this post on your Facebook wall? Spread the love by clicking on the "f" icon below. Your own reflections on Jesus' words are wanted and welcome! Please sign in and then comment.
I don't need to go any further that that right now. Nothing smothers spiritual growth more than what I call the what else mentality. Funny how we want to hurry right on by foundational, potentially life-changing statements like that one and see what else we can mine out of Scripture. But here it is: The Christian life in a nutshell. It's Theology 101. It's also Theology 201, 301, 401 all the way up to Th.D. It's fine and good to study and explore the finer points of doctrine, but until we get this one concept absolutely mastered we would do better to just get a laser focus on accomplishing that:
"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
If our knowledge of Scripture causes us to love other people less and drives wedges between us, then our theology has taken us the opposite direction from the heart of Christ. Healthy, Jesus-focused theology makes us more caring, more accepting, more humble, more willing to sacrifice our own desires for the good of others. It makes us bridge-builders instead of wall builders. It drives us to people, not away from them.
What does God want from me? He wants me to love him with all my heart and he wants me to love the people around me.
the people down the street
the people in that other church building
the people in that other part of town
the people with those annoying traits
the people I don't yet understand
the people that are "moving my cheese"
the people that inconvenience me
the people from that other political party
the people in my own house
even the people across the globe.
"Love one another. Love them with the same kind of all-out love I've shown for you. Lay down self in favor of relationships." There is no greater cornerstone of life than that. It's not confusing. It's not complicated. And it is so spiritually and emotionally liberating.
I think I'm just going to focus on that for a while until I get a whole lot better at it. It's a supernatural thing, you know. Only God can give me that love. But I've got to ask him for it, receive it and choose to live by it. What if everyone loved like this? Wow.
If you agree with Jesus that the world needs more love, why don't you share this post on your Facebook wall? Spread the love by clicking on the "f" icon below. Your own reflections on Jesus' words are wanted and welcome! Please sign in and then comment.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
What Lies Ahead
God blesses those who seek him and who hunger and thirst for any encounter with him. So let's see if he has a word for us today. Join me in reading from the Bible, John 13:18-30. As you read it a second time, think about the details and ask the Holy Spirit to apply it to your heart. What is he saying to you?
"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He." (v. 19)
Of course, Jesus went on to express that he knew all about Judas' plot to betray him. That shows me that Jesus was no unsuspecting victim. He was always the one in control. But it also speaks to my own life. It's a reminder that Jesus knows the future.
That's important to me because I don't have a clue what lies ahead. And that scares me sometimes. As I consider my next step forward, I don't even know what it is. I'm looking for an open door, praying and seeking God's direction. But so far, a lot about the future is still pretty murky. An uncertain future is something that keeps a lot of people up at night.
But Jesus already knows exactly what is going to happen before it ever happens. Nothing surprises him. What I wonder and worry about, he already foresees the outcome. I don't need a crystal ball. Jesus is steering my life and he not only knows the future, but he even directs it. That's comforting because he is the one I can trust to show me the way. I can trust that my future is secure in his plans. It is not for me to know just yet, but when the time is right he will reveal what he has in mind for me to do.
In the meantime, I already know who he wants me to be. And that is most important.
Please add your reflections below in the Comments section! And share this post to your Facebook page before you go. Thanks, and God bless and guide you as you trust him!
"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He." (v. 19)
Of course, Jesus went on to express that he knew all about Judas' plot to betray him. That shows me that Jesus was no unsuspecting victim. He was always the one in control. But it also speaks to my own life. It's a reminder that Jesus knows the future.
That's important to me because I don't have a clue what lies ahead. And that scares me sometimes. As I consider my next step forward, I don't even know what it is. I'm looking for an open door, praying and seeking God's direction. But so far, a lot about the future is still pretty murky. An uncertain future is something that keeps a lot of people up at night.
But Jesus already knows exactly what is going to happen before it ever happens. Nothing surprises him. What I wonder and worry about, he already foresees the outcome. I don't need a crystal ball. Jesus is steering my life and he not only knows the future, but he even directs it. That's comforting because he is the one I can trust to show me the way. I can trust that my future is secure in his plans. It is not for me to know just yet, but when the time is right he will reveal what he has in mind for me to do.
In the meantime, I already know who he wants me to be. And that is most important.
Please add your reflections below in the Comments section! And share this post to your Facebook page before you go. Thanks, and God bless and guide you as you trust him!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Descent to the Top
Welcome back to our conversations with God! Are you ready? We're going into John 13 today, the first 17 verses. You may have heard this story before. Read it and listen with fresh ears, as if for the very first time. Place yourself at the table. Place yourself with the towel. What does Jesus want to say to you right now?
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." (v. 8)
I'm so grateful to Jesus for washing me! I welcome his washing. I'm like Peter here: "Well, don't stop with my feet, then! I want a relationship with you, and if I need you to wash me to have it, then wash away!" You see, I know that without Jesus washing my soul it's awfully dirty and cruddy. Yes, it's so peaceful feeling clean and washed and guilt-free before God. And what I mess I was when he washed me!
How I'm taken aback by the reality that the King of the universe, the infinite and eternal God, would stoop down and "wash my feet." He's the King but he served me. He's in charge but he played the servant. He's superior in every way but he identified himself with me. He didn't need me but he loved me. He is repulsed by every tinge of evil, yet he got his hands unbelievably dirty washing my spiritual grime. No matter how many times I've heard it, I 've got to pause and whisper "Wow!"
And now what? Am I going to remain kicked back at the table eating grapes, expecting Jesus and everyone else to keep on serving me? How could I?
"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (v. 15)
Okay, I get it, Jesus! If you're the greatest and you humbly serve others, then that's what defines true greatness. You've elevated me by transforming this prideful guy into a servant! The way up is stooping down. There is no higher calling than to lay self-interest aside and focus on the needs of others. The more I serve, and the more unassumingly I do it, the more significant I become. Here on my knees, with a towel around my waist and a bowl of dirty water at the feet of other people, is where I find my closest proximity to you. You've served me, now I will serve others. Thank you for teaching me the power and greatness of service. Amen.
So, who's got dirty feet?
For more on this subject, check out my Easter Sunday message from last year entitled Rising Downward at this link: http://www.onelifeonline.com/media/index.php?video=04-04-10. (It starts about 27 minutes into the service.) I'm looking forward to hearing from others of you who are reading this blog. Please join in the conversation! Comment below.
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." (v. 8)
I'm so grateful to Jesus for washing me! I welcome his washing. I'm like Peter here: "Well, don't stop with my feet, then! I want a relationship with you, and if I need you to wash me to have it, then wash away!" You see, I know that without Jesus washing my soul it's awfully dirty and cruddy. Yes, it's so peaceful feeling clean and washed and guilt-free before God. And what I mess I was when he washed me!
How I'm taken aback by the reality that the King of the universe, the infinite and eternal God, would stoop down and "wash my feet." He's the King but he served me. He's in charge but he played the servant. He's superior in every way but he identified himself with me. He didn't need me but he loved me. He is repulsed by every tinge of evil, yet he got his hands unbelievably dirty washing my spiritual grime. No matter how many times I've heard it, I 've got to pause and whisper "Wow!"
And now what? Am I going to remain kicked back at the table eating grapes, expecting Jesus and everyone else to keep on serving me? How could I?
"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (v. 15)
Okay, I get it, Jesus! If you're the greatest and you humbly serve others, then that's what defines true greatness. You've elevated me by transforming this prideful guy into a servant! The way up is stooping down. There is no higher calling than to lay self-interest aside and focus on the needs of others. The more I serve, and the more unassumingly I do it, the more significant I become. Here on my knees, with a towel around my waist and a bowl of dirty water at the feet of other people, is where I find my closest proximity to you. You've served me, now I will serve others. Thank you for teaching me the power and greatness of service. Amen.
So, who's got dirty feet?
For more on this subject, check out my Easter Sunday message from last year entitled Rising Downward at this link: http://www.onelifeonline.com/media/index.php?video=04-04-10. (It starts about 27 minutes into the service.) I'm looking forward to hearing from others of you who are reading this blog. Please join in the conversation! Comment below.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)