Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet

Read John 13

Jesus never ceases to amaze us with his love and servant attitude.  His idea of greatness is to serve, which, as usually was the case with Jesus, went against everything the world believed.  To have “made it” in the world meant to have others serving and taking care of all your needs.  To bow down in front of someone of lesser societal stature than you and wash their dirty feet was something that would have been considered outrageously ridiculous.  But that is who Jesus was.  He knew we were created in the image of God and to be truly happy in this life, is to be God-like, as best we can.  To be God-like is to love.  When you truly love a person, you have no problem washing their feet.

The neat part of servanthood is, as you have probably have discovered, the one who gets the greatest blessing is the server.  That’s why Jesus says in verse 17, if you serve, you will be blessed.  Jesus said, “If I, as your Lord and Teacher will wash your feet, then you should have no problem washing each other’s feet”.  If we truly want to be like Jesus we must have a servant heart, swallow our pride, and get down in the trenches, loving and serving anyone who needs it.

May God help all of us to have the mind of Christ.  God bless you.  

- Eddie Lee 

Jesus Wept

"Jesus wept"

Sunday school taught me this was the shortest verse in the Bible.

Reading the story of Lazarus taught me that Jesus was sad when his friend died.

Six days in Hospice House, in December 2011, taught me that Jesus really experienced the “grief of separation” that death delivers.

When Mary brought Jesus to the tomb and dropped to her knees weeping, and Jesus saw those around who were weeping, “He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled” and that is when “he wept”…

John shares that the Jews saw, “how he loved him”.

It is awesome to know in my head, and now heart, that the same Jesus who stated he was “the resurrection and life…and those that believe in him will never die” was the same Jesus who was deeply moved with sorrow, at the sting of death.

To be deeply moved and weep is to be both fully human and holy. How wonderful that my savior, who knew what he was about to do (raise Lazarus), also sobbed with a deep sadness at the loss, separation and grief that death brings to a loved one.

Because of the events that unfolded that day at the tomb of Lazarus; I know that my dad lives… and one day I will see him again…!

- Sean Patty

No One Can Judge

"Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her." (John 8:7). This is a powerful story, and it is all summed up in this one verse.

The bible that I read tells me that the God I serve is a God of mercy. The word mercy means to extend help to the lowliest or the most undeserving. It implies compassion that overshadows punishment, even when justice demands it. Mercy is a word we throw around. We use it often in our prayers. We sing it in our songs. We talk about it in our jargon, "There by the grace of God go I." Justice demanded that you and I should die, but mercy stepped in and said not so.

So great is God’s mercy that it is almost inexpressible. God’s mercy knows no limit. There is none who is beyond his saving power. His mercy reaches to the highest mountain and flows to the lowest valley.

Your future is not determined by your past. Your future is not determined by what you used to be. Your future is not determined by what you used to do, but your future and my future is determined by Jesus Christ and by what he can and will do. Jesus Christ is the same today and yesterday and tomorrow. There is no secret, what God can do & what he’s done for others, he’ll do for you.

-Hannah Sharp