Good morning!
As I read God's Word, I find myself hearing the Lord as if He is speaking to me. Sometimes these are convicting moments for me, sometimes related to lingering sin and the need to change. And I praise Him for such clarity!
The need for me to step away from prideful living and return to the kind of humility Jesus demonstrated for us (Philippians 2:1-8), is resurfaced by God. And the last few days God pointed it out again. This is so appropriate as God asks us daily to draw near to the Cross, God’s Cross, His solution for bringing us home (Matthew 16:24).
We need to be humble when we approach the Cross – because we know what Jesus Christ suffered – so that God could, through the power of the Resurrection, allow us to approach Him.
This conviction this week has caused me to re-engage God’s Word and look again at what humility looks like from a Jesus perspective (Philippians 2:1-8) – so I love in those moments to turn to the image of Jesus kneeling before each of His apostles to wash their feet – as I imagine this in my mind, I see the love and humility of Christ pouring out into the room, humility on display as we should be humble…read and reflect:
John 13:3-17 - 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.(P) 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
Notice the rebuke Peter receives from Jesus in verse 8. Peter is being prideful, thinking he knows what's best. But Jesus responds that we need to receive in humility, to learn the lesson He is teaching, and to learn to give in humble service motivated by our love for Him.
I need to love and serve others humbly and I need to humbly receive as others serve me...including my family, my neighbors those I clash with at times and even my enemies. It is just that simple – I need to live it out in all my relationships.
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend you is that we find you speaking to us of how we can live to glorify you through humble, peace and love filled living that looks like you Lord Jesus – a beautiful in expression of perfect love embodied by Your Cross! Amen!
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Patrick
As I read God's Word, I find myself hearing the Lord as if He is speaking to me. Sometimes these are convicting moments for me, sometimes related to lingering sin and the need to change. And I praise Him for such clarity!
The need for me to step away from prideful living and return to the kind of humility Jesus demonstrated for us (Philippians 2:1-8), is resurfaced by God. And the last few days God pointed it out again. This is so appropriate as God asks us daily to draw near to the Cross, God’s Cross, His solution for bringing us home (Matthew 16:24).
We need to be humble when we approach the Cross – because we know what Jesus Christ suffered – so that God could, through the power of the Resurrection, allow us to approach Him.
This conviction this week has caused me to re-engage God’s Word and look again at what humility looks like from a Jesus perspective (Philippians 2:1-8) – so I love in those moments to turn to the image of Jesus kneeling before each of His apostles to wash their feet – as I imagine this in my mind, I see the love and humility of Christ pouring out into the room, humility on display as we should be humble…read and reflect:
John 13:3-17 - 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” 7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” 8 “No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” 9 “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” 10 Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” 11 For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not everyone was clean. 12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. 13 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.(P) 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”
Notice the rebuke Peter receives from Jesus in verse 8. Peter is being prideful, thinking he knows what's best. But Jesus responds that we need to receive in humility, to learn the lesson He is teaching, and to learn to give in humble service motivated by our love for Him.
I need to love and serve others humbly and I need to humbly receive as others serve me...including my family, my neighbors those I clash with at times and even my enemies. It is just that simple – I need to live it out in all my relationships.
Lord Jesus, my prayer for each of us as we go into this weekend you is that we find you speaking to us of how we can live to glorify you through humble, peace and love filled living that looks like you Lord Jesus – a beautiful in expression of perfect love embodied by Your Cross! Amen!
Have a weekend filled with the Peace that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Patrick
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