In John Chapter 13, where Jesus has stooped so low to wash the disciple’s feet we have that profound conversation between Jesus and Peter, where Jesus explains to Peter that what he wants is not necessary. Peter does not need to be washed from head to toe, but that desire and longing too has its significance. Peter wanted to be totally committed to Jesus Christ.
Jesus explains further. As I wash you in this way, you will be clean, but Peter, there is somebody else here who is not clean and he is so dirty that washing his feet will not do much good. Not only are his feet dirty Peter, but unlike you, his hands are dirty and his head is dirty. Judas had already agreed to sell Christ.
Jesus wants to come and wash us – clean our hearts and thoughts and minds – so that what we say and do will be worthy in His presence and sight. We need to know that deep within our hearts and minds and we also need to be reminded of it frequently.
Verse 13 – You call me Teacher and Lord. You are right. I am, but did you see what I did? If you want authority this is how to receive it.
Judas would only say Teacher. Have you noticed that Judas would only use the word Rabbi. He never used the word Kurios, meaning Lord. Each of us has to make that massive transformation from Rabbi to Kurios. Have you?
If you want to be great then be prepared to be least. If you want to reach the heights, then be prepared to get down on your knees.
When people think about getting on in life, they usually mean – climbing up a man made ladder – being promoted – receiving a larger salary. Jesus does not think like that.
If you want success in the eyes of Jesus, you achieve it through service. Jesus came into the jungle of human ambition and look at what He did about it.
v.15 – I have given you the example. What he did for us he calls us to go and do for others in terms of service.
Are you looking around to see what needs to be done?
Is there an unused basin which you can pick up and use?
I have done it for you, now go and do it for others. That is how it flows – from Him to others. First from Him, then to others.
Jesus is bowing down where nobody else was prepared to bow down, and Jesus does the job that nobody else was prepared to do. If the disciples, at that stage, and on this occasion, thought they might have found their way into Scripture by taking the basin and the water and towel, there would have a scramble across that room!
He sets the example to them and for us and says, “If you live like this, you will be blessed”.
Never be ashamed to stoop and bow and serve.
Copyright:
‘Word from Scotland‘ Copyright 2012 © Sandy Shaw. ‘Word from Scotland‘ articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with their complete bio and a link to http://www.liveasif.org/ 2) ‘Word from Scotland‘ content may not be arranged or “mirrored” as a competitive online service.
‘Word from Scotland‘ Copyright 2012 © Sandy Shaw. ‘Word from Scotland‘ articles may be reproduced in whole under the following provisions: 1) A proper credit must be given to the author at the end of each story, along with their complete bio and a link to http://www.liveasif.org/ 2) ‘Word from Scotland‘ content may not be arranged or “mirrored” as a competitive online service.
This post was written by:
Sandy Shaw - who has written 31 posts on The Underground.
Alexander "Sandy" Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster! Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word. Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40 a.m., New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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