Washing Feet

Have you ever done something extravagant for someone else? Have you served others, purposely taking on a lower status, position, or job? Have you honored someone else through your service? Or do you believe lowering yourself to serve others is something you could never do?

Serving others can be a challenge for us. Our culture wants us to believe we are above serving one another. We are inundated with messages that we deserve more, which includes holding ourselves in higher regard. So much so that we become haughty and prideful.

Let’s not make the mistake of serving one another means we must have a lower esteem of ourselves. In fact, just the opposite. It requires inner strength, high esteem, and confidence in who we are to serve others. What it does not require is pride. Instead, pride must be removed from our minds.

Jesus held himself with high regard, high self-esteem, and was fully confident in who He was. Yet, He stooped to serve His disciples and washed their feet, just as household servant would have done. There was no false bravado. There was no pride. There was no haughtiness. Jesus simply demonstrated what a humble, though self-assured, person would do for His friends.

Following Jesus’s example does not mean we must wash feet. It does mean giving up our pridefulness and looking for opportunities to serve one another. That service comes in many forms. It can be as simple as getting a glass of tea for someone. It can be as complex as walking with someone through a traumatic time in their lives. It requires us to set aside our desires, our uncomfortableness, and serve out of love for one another.

I pray we all choose to follow Jesus’ example. I pray we choose to serve one another. I pray each one of us will rid ourselves of pridefulness, be confident in who we are, and put others before ourselves. Follow Jesus’ example. Be rid of pridefulness. Be confident. Serve one another.

John 13:5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him.

Jesus Enters

How do you react and receive an unexpected person? How do you receive a very important person? Are you overjoyed to see them? Do you feel caught unaware? Do you feel as though an additional burden has been placed on you? How do you receive Jesus?

Unexpected guests can be joyous and also feel like a burden. We may be very happy to see them, especially if we have not seen them for quite some time. On the other hand, we may feel as though we need to entertain them and feed them.

The city of Jerusalem experienced this mix of emotions as Jesus entered a few days before going to the cross. We Christians call it the Triumphal Entry. But there were some who did not want Him there at all. The Jewish leadership were afraid of an uprising, thereby inciting the Roman army into violent action against the Jewish people.

Yet, Jesus’ disciples and those who were amazed by His miracles were overjoyed that He came to Jerusalem. It is also possible that some were moved to welcome Him with joy without understanding why. Ultimately, Jesus entering Jerusalem on that day created an upheaval that would soon conclude with His death.

Jesus also enters our lives in unexpected ways. He may convict our hearts in a way that creates consternation within us. He may intervene on our behalf and create abundant joy. We must decide how we will receive Him. Will we receive Him with joy or be troubled to the point of rejecting Him?

I pray we all know that Jesus interacts with us. I pray we are aware of His arrival into our lives. I pray each one of us will receive Him with joy and welcome Him with open arms. Jesus interacts with you. Be aware of Jesus. Welcome Him into your life. Receive Him with joy.

Matthew 21:10-11: When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Humble King

How do you prepare for special guests? Do you clean the entire house, ensuring it is absolutely spotless? Do you put the best tablecloth on the dining room table? Do you break out your best china? Do you reserve a special place for them to park in your driveway?

Hosting special guests can be a joy and yet stressful. Cleaning the house with extra care, pulling out the best of everything we have, and even setting aside specific areas for them takes a lot of work. But we do all that because the person is special to us and we want them to feel special.

The crowd knew Jesus was special, too. They saw Him as the long-promised King of Israel. Of course, their view of what king of king He would be was much different than the King He was meant to be. But that didn’t stop them from providing the royal treatment. Spreading their cloaks and cutting branches to cover the road He was riding on was just the beginning. The shouts of acclamation and honor add to their praise and honor of Him.

Though they honored Him with a red-carpet treatment and loud praises, Jesus rode on the colt of a donkey—a lowly animal. He did not ride in on a big white stallion with banners flying and an armed guard in gleaming armor. Instead, He rode in on a humble animal with poor disciples trailing Him. They looked like any other group of pilgrims coming for the Passover.

Perhaps we should approach our lives in the same manner. Rather than seeking the royal treatment, strive to be humble. Rather than bragging on ourselves, simply focus on the work set before us. Humbly walking with God and working beside him is the best thing for our lives.

I pray we all celebrate Jesus following God’s plan. I pray we honor Him with praise. I pray each one of us will strive to humbly walk with God and focus on the work he has set before us. Celebrate Jesus. Honor Jesus. Humbly walk with God. Focus on God’s work. It is best for you.

Matthew 21:8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Name Above All Names

Who do you praise? Who do you lift up? Is it someone close to you? Is it someone you look up to? Is there someone you desire to follow through thick and thin, without question, and willing to do anything for? Is that someone Jesus Christ? Do you look at Him with awe and wonder?

Praising Jesus, exalting Him with our whole being is what we were all made for. Unfortunately, we often fight against it because it means giving up our selfishness. We must stop thinking we are the center of the universe. Our entire mental approach and attitude must change.

Why should we praise Jesus? God the Father exalted Him and gave Him name above all names. Jesus has been raised above all others. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. God has proclaimed Jesus to be greater than all and so has the entire heavenly host. The heavenly host has bowed the knee to Him and proclaimed His as the King.

We are to follow the example of heaven. We are to bow before Jesus and proclaim Him as King of kings and Lord of lords. In fact, one day we will, either willingly because we adore Him and follow Him, or because we are a conquered enemy. That means we have a choice. We can choose to give up our selfishness and worship Him, or we can continue to rebel and do what we want. May each of us make the right choice.

I pray we all know that Jesus is exalted above all others. I pray we proclaim Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. I pray each one of us choose to give up our selfishness and follow Jesus. Jesus is exalted above all others. Jesus is King of kings. Jesus is Lord of lords. Choose to follow Jesus.

Philippians 2:9-11

Therefore God exalted him even more highly 

and gave him the name 

that is above every other name, 

so that at the name given to Jesus 

every knee should bend, 

in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 

and every tongue should confess 

that Jesus Christ is Lord, 

to the glory of God the Father.

Be Honorable

Have you ever made a grand entrance? No? Have you witnessed a grand entrance? Was it filled with all the pomp and circumstance? Was there special music being played? Was the person(s) introduced as they made their way in? Was there applause? Were they smiling?

When I think of grand entrances, I think of the way young folks today enter their reception following their wedding. The entire wedding party is introduced as they make their way in one couple at a time. And, of course, the bride and groom are the last and receive the loudest applause.

But grand entrances do not happen with weddings only. We see starting lineup introductions in sporting events. There are the red-carpet entrances for the various Hollywood awards events. And, of course, the dignitary entrances at official government events. It seems we desire to make grand entrances as often as we can, seeking the attention of others.

As Jesus was about to make His grand entrance into Jerusalem, He chose to do so humbly. Rather than riding in a white stallion with escorts riding ahead announcing His coming, He set out unannounced. He gave simple instructions to a couple of His disciples to retrieve a donkey and her colt, humble animals.

One thing we can learn from Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem is this: we do not need to drum up the applause. If we are a person of integrity, honor, and worked diligently for God, the appropriate applause will be provided. It is better to be humble and unassuming than to be haughty and attention seeking.

I pray we all see the grand entrances for what they are. I pray we seek to be humble as Jesus was humble. I pray each one of us work diligently for God with integrity and honor. Follow Jesus’ example of humility. Work for God diligently. Be a person of integrity. Be honorable.

Matthew 21:1-2 When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.”

Strong Foundation

What kind of foundation is your life built on? What is the foundation you stand on? Is it solid? Is it soft and spongy. Are you standing on a foundation of solid rock? Are you standing on a foundation of sand? Has the foundation you are standing on been built properly?

Having a solid foundation to build our lives on is important. It is that strong foundation that will hold us when things go wrong. If our foundation crumbles, our whole lives can crumble with it. If we have not built our lives on a solid foundation, we can make a new start to do so.

How do we know if we are on a solid foundation? We know through experience. We know when trials come and we are not shaken. The foundation will hold us and support us as we weather the storms of life we face.

Jesus is the chief cornerstone of God’s foundation. What does that mean? A cornerstone is the first stone laid for a foundation. It has perfect right angles and placed perfectly so the rest of the foundation is laid from it. If the cornerstone is off by even a smidgen, the rest of the foundation is off. It is through Jesus that all of creation is supported. Everything was created through Him (John 1:3).

Building our lives on a solid foundation requires us to build it on the foundation that started from the beginning. That beginning starts with the Word of God that became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. It may be a mystery that we do not fully understand, but it is a truth we can trust and stand on in a world filled with half-truths and lies.

I pray we all know that Jesus is the chief cornerstone. I pray we know He was there from the beginning. I pray each one of us will build our lives on the strong foundation of God and his Word. Jesus is the chief cornerstone. All things were created through Him. Build your life on God’s foundation. Build your life on God’s Word.

Psalm 118:22

The stone that the builders rejected 

has become the chief cornerstone.

Despised and Vindicated

How do you feel when others disgrace you? How do you feel when you are humiliated by others? What if they despise you? What is you are ostracized? Do you continue to have faith in the One who has redeemed you? Do you continue to set your face toward obedience?

Being humiliated, disgraced, despised, and ostracized by others can be debilitating. We may want to find a cave to hole up in. We may want to disappear. We may do our best to avoid contact with others. Yet, there is no need to feel this way if we are obeying God.

In Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the Messiah, he states that despite being physically struck, slapped, insulted, and spit on, the Messiah is not disgraced. In fact, He sets his face like flint, proceeding toward His mission despite all of that. Why? He knows that He will not be put to shame. He will be vindicated. He will be glorified. His glory will be on display for all to see.

When we are humiliated, despised, or ostracized by others for our faith and we feel disgraced, we can be confident that God has our back. He will not allow us to be shamed for sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. We will be vindicated. We will share in His glory. Because of that, we should continue to move forward with confidence. We should set our face toward the mission God has given each one of us, knowing Jesus is with every step of the way.

I pray we all know that Jesus was despised, yet vindicated. I pray we recognize Jesus’s glory. I pray each one of us believe we will share in Jesus’ glory and continue pursuing the mission God has set for us. Jesus was despised. Jesus was vindicated. Jesus is in His glory. You will share in Jesus’ glory. Continue pursuing God’s mission.

Isaiah 50:7-8a

The Lord God helps me; 

therefore I have not been disgraced; 

therefore I have set my face like flint, 

and I know that I shall not be put to shame; 

he who vindicates me is near.

When We Are Weary

Have you grown weary? Are you seeking help? Are you struggling? Do you feel you have nowhere to turn? Does it seem you have no more options? Have you asked the One who can provide you the help you need? Have you listened for His guidance? Have you turned to the Lord?

We all experience weariness at some point during our lives. Troubles will find us. We go through struggles. We may even feel completely helpless with nowhere to turn. It seems as though there is no one who can help. Our family and friends may have abandoned us.

There is One we can always turn to. He will always be there. He will never leave us. He is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Some of us may think that we need someone physically with us to turn to. As true as that may be, by turning to Jesus, we are turning to the One who can provide the physical person we need. By crying out to Him in prayer and trusting Him, we relieve ourselves of the anxiety and fear.

Jesus will provide us with the guidance we need. He will provide someone to meet us in the midst of our struggles. In addition to crying out to Him, we are to listen to Him. His guidance may come from an unexpected source or someone we do not know. He works through many people to provide for His followers. We must remember that He is the Creator as well as the Savior. It is Him that we live and He lives within us.

I pray we all know that we can turn to Jesus in any situation. I pray we lay our burdens at Jesus’ feet. I pray each one of us will listen for His guidance and trust Him to provide for our needs. Turn to Jesus. Lay your burdens at His feet. Listen for His guidance. Trust Him to provide.

Isaiah 50:4

The Lord God has given me 

a trained tongue, 

that I may know how to sustain 

the weary with a word. 

Morning by morning he wakens, 

wakens my ear 

to listen as those who are taught.

Do You Believe?

Do you believe? That can be a difficult question to answer. We may first reply, “Believe in what?” But the question is not about a what but a Who. Do you believe in Jesus? Again, not a simple question to answer. There are many nuances to that question.

Do we believe Jesus is the resurrection? Jesus says He is. We may believe He was resurrected. But do we believe we will be resurrected by Him? If we do, and we believe we will spend eternity with Him, our lives should reflect that.

How should our lives reflect that? We live without fear, anxiety, and worry. We do not worry about our lives, rather we live for Him and the eternal life we will spend with Him. In fact, though we may not want to go immediately, we look forward to that eternal life. Knowing we are going somewhere better should eliminate our fear of death and what anyone can do to us in this life.

Jesus also states He is the life. If He is the life and we are in Him, then we never die. He tells us that. But do we believe it? Again, if we do, our lives change. If we believe no one can take us out of His hands, our lives change. Rather than living for this world, we live for His kingdom, and everlasting, forever and ever kingdom.

Jesus asks if we believe and asks us to believe. Not for his sake. For our sake. He knows what is best for us. He knows the best thing is for us to believe and to be changed. May each of us decide to believe Him and believe in Him so that we are changed by Him.

I pray we all believe Jesus is the resurrection. I pray we believe that Jesus is the life. I pray each one of us will have our lives changed because we believe Jesus and we believe in Jesus. Believe Jesus is the resurrection. Believe Jesus is the life. Be changed. Believe Jesus. Believe in Jesus.

John 11:25-26:  Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

Facing the Difficult

How often do you do what you know you need to do, even when you are facing opposition? Are you willing to face ridicule or ostracization for doing what is right? Would you be willing to face the possibility of death for your faith? Do you willingly tell others about your faith?

Doing what is right can be difficult. We may face ridicule or ostracization for it. When speaking up for someone others dislike because it is the right thing to do, can get us pushed aside. Telling others about our faith can do the same thing. Our friends may not want to be around us.

Jesus had to face a challenge so that He could do the right thing, which was to obey God’s will. He must head back to Judea, where they had on multiple occasions sought to kill Him. His disciples know it. They warn Him against it. Yet, Jesus knows He must go. In the case of today’s passage, He was heading to some friend’s house. He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. He was going to show the glory of God.

We may not face death to speak about our faith. But there are times when speaking about our faith or doing the right thing can put us in a tough spot. Our conscience tells us to do the right thing. Our logical thinking tells us to wait a minute, think about it, it might be a good choice for us personally. We waiver. We’re caught in the middle. It requires us to listen for God’s guidance and trust in him, just as Jesus did.

I pray we all do the right thing. I pray we seek out and listen to God’s guidance. I pray each one of us will choose to trust God and speak about our faith, even when it isn’t comfortable to do so. Do the right thing. Trust God. Seek his guidance. Speak out about your faith.

John 11:7-8 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.” The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now trying to stone you, and are you going there again?”