Humility illustrated

John 13:1-11…

Jesus knew He was just a day from His death. So He wanted to illustrate to His disciples one of His greatest lessons. He was doing something that they did not as yet fully understand. Not simply why He was doing the act, but what it represented, what they had failed as yet to grasp. This was the lesson of humility, the great key to holiness and a loving hope.

The backdrop of this beautiful display of Jesus is a despicable display by the disciples. You see, Jesus began washing the disciples’ feet after the meal had already started. But foot washing normally occurred before the meal, when guests arrived. The point is that instead of looking at Jesus with awe and washing His feet, they were still arguing about who should be the greatest (Mark 9:33-34, 10:35-41 / Luke 9:46-48, 22:24-27). No one would stoop down to serve, and so Jesus gives them an object lesson. 

Actually, they already had an example of this (Matthew 26:7-13 / Mark 14:6-9 / John 12:2-8). Consider that incident and the weight Christ places on it, and His reinforcing it here with His own example. Obviously humility of this nature is an integral part of living out the gospel in our lives. Humility is a facet of the gospel that must not be ignored (Philippians 2:5-8).

However, no matter how humble we may by grace become, it still is no match compared to our Master. Only Christ can humble Himself and give up everything for men who cannot give Him anything. Those we serve can give us the satisfaction of their thanks but here Christ, who is God, sees the utter wickedness of mankind.

Humility doesn’t mean poor, it doesn’t mean pious, and it doesn’t mean powerless. Humility means you trust God and you treasure God. Humility is surrendering your will to God’s will. We all want to be heroes. We would gladly wash the feet of Jesus, or even our brothers and sisters in Christ, but I want you to consider something. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray Him, but He ate with him anyway, and washed his feet also (Matthew 5:43-48).

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

A certain man, a certain plan

Matthew 26:17-20 / Mark 14:12-17 / Luke 22:7-14…          

In the busyness and crowded scenes of life, we can get quite frantic and frustrated about meeting our deadlines, timeliness, and perceived needs. Jesus hadn’t given the disciples the details about where they would celebrate Passover. When He does, the directions are so mysterious that they had to have been perplexed. There were hundreds of thousands gathered in Jerusalem for the occasion. How were they going to find this certain man? Of course they were obedient, and of course, it was just as Jesus had said it would be.

It is interesting to see God’s providence in hindsight. Remember, Judas was looking for an opportunity away from the crowd to betray Him. But Jesus knows that He must first eat Passover with His disciples, so He keeps all the details about the location secret.  That way the betrayer will only be able to betray Him after the Passover meal.

Think about the fact that Jesus is infinitely aware of His coming betrayal, trial, suffering, trauma, and death, and yet He is focused on doing God’s will. In this particular instance it is that He worships with His disciples. Jesus will go to great lengths to get you to obey Him in faith and to arrive at the place of worship.

God is orchestrating not only your situation, but all the attendant situations along with it. Remember, the certain man also obeyed the Lord, and from a messenger. Your role in obedience is a key to other things. Yes, God will still get all the things He wants to be done realized, whether we do our part or not. But realize this, your obedience will allow you to see amazing providence. If you are in rebellion, repent, turn and see how God is preparing a place for you. You cannot always trace His hand, but you can always trust His heart. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

The trail of a traitor

Matthew 26:14-16 / Mark 14:10-11 / Luke 22:3-6…

Judas had been with Jesus and the other disciples for three years. He had seen more miracles than anyone today could even dream of. He had a close personal relationship with Jesus, but he didn’t have a trusting, saving relationship with Him. How can this be? Of course, Jesus knew this was going to happen (John 6:70). Here Judas takes several steps on the road to perdition.

He is consumed with evil thoughts. Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He consorts with the enemy. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them. He conspires to do evil. So he consented and sought an opportunity to betray him to them in the absence of a crowd.

We think that we could never do what Judas did having all the advantages he had. It is true that our struggle with loyalty to Christ is different than his. We don’t have the opportunity to physically betray Him. But we do have the opportunity to practically betray Him.

We don’t think ourselves capable, but we are all culpable (Romans 3:23). There have been times when we know what we want to do is wrong, but we think about doing it, then we plan on doing it, and then we actually do it. The Bible describes this Judas-like death walk. We are enticed, then ensnared, then enslaved, and then we actually endorse the evil (James 1:14-15).  Thankfully, we can turn around and start going the other way (1 John 1:9).

The question is, right now, are we following Jesus or are we following Judas?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©