Jesus Assumes a Servant’s Role

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          John 13:1-17 

            Jesus, the possessor of all authority of God, washed the disciples’ feet. We wonder why He would do something that servants were expected to do.

            Our Lord knows of the upcoming betrayal and who would do it. He knew the hearts of the eleven others. Jesus modeled love to them. I am sure they were humbled by the Master’s deed. It must have been very personal to all of them.

            What was Jesus doing when He did this?

William Barclay indicates out that the Teacher makes an underlying point beside the visual image of foot washing.

            Our Lord showed them there is greatness by service, the only kind of greatness.He chose the most menial task to illustrate the point.  Anything else is selfishness. What are examples of service?

Volunteering for a task,

Visiting those who are ill,

Praying for others consistently.

Donating to ministries,

Working in ministries.

I look at this list and realize I have times when I  come up short in these areas. I want to do better but I also want to do as God wants me to do.

At the Passover Meal

DaVinci, Art and the Bible 

John 13:18-30

Jesus tells his 12 disciples of his imminent betrayal. He explains his reason for sharing this news, “so that when it happens, you will believe I am He.”(John 13:19)

Were any of the disciples listening?  Simon Peter was curious about who would do something like that. However, he was afraid to inquire about this of the Master. So, he asked John to do it.

John asked and Jesus gave a clue. “He then dipped a piece of bread into a dish and gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.”(John13:26b) The NIV reads that Satan entered into Judas and then told Judas Iscariot to do what he must do quickly.Does this not tell us that Satan was present at that holy event?

Have you ever wondered what you would do if you had been there and heard Jesus’ instruction to Judas? I have. Would I have realized what He meant and tried to have stopped Judas from departing? Or would I try to accompany Judas because of our close relationship in the band of disciples? Or even, would I have reclined there oblivious to the exchange between the two of them? I will never know.

Mary’s Thoughts

Beliefnet

Luke 2:1-20

            Have you considered what Mary thought about when the angel Gabriel comes to her and told her of God’s plan? Or have you ever wondered what Mary thought about during Jesus’ life? Let’s look at each recorded scene in Mary’s life and explore the meaning of what might happen.

At the Angel’s Visit

            Mary, a young girl from a poor family, is pledged to Joseph, a local carpenter. There are three steps to marriage for Hebrew young couples. First, the parents meet and discuss the possibility of a union. Then the couple becomes “pledged”, the only way a pledging could end was through the death of one of the couple or through a divorce. The final step is the marriage ceremony.

            This message the angel brings, if Mary accepts it, will bring pain, ridicule and possible rejection by her peers, she might lose her fiancé.

            However, Mary chooses to obey God. Did you catch that? She CHOOSES to obey God.

In the Stable

            She sits quietly and listens to the shepherds jubilantly tell the story of how they heard of the birth of her son. They tell her of the angel and then the angel host and their message. These lowly workers are thrilled to know that they saw angels from God. Mary sits and listens and records their words in her heart.

Simeon

            Simeon, devoted to God, is at the Temple when Joseph takes Mary and baby Jesus for the purification rite. When Simeon asks to hold the baby, he praises God. In essence, he tells God he is ready to go to heaven in peace. Simeon calls the baby Jesus God’s salvation for His people.

            As Joseph and Mary depart the Temple with Jesus, Simeon gives a blessing to them and says; “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be s a sign that will be spoken against, so the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul, too.”(Luke 2:34, NIV)

            Do you think that Mary revisited these scenes when she stood along the road and watched her son Jesus as he carried His cross to Golgotha?