Humility Amid Greatness

John 13:1,3-5 WEB

Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. [3] Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God, and was going to God, [4] arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel, and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5] Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

---

Jesus knew he was going to die. The Father had come to him with Moses and Elijah and encouraged him regarding the upcoming events (Mt 17:1-9). So, Jesus knew. Yet, despite the personal trial he was experiencing, he did not stop and start focusing on himself. He did not seek pity or attention. Nor did he seek praise for his willingness and surrender. Instead, Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist and washed the disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17).

During Jesus’ time on earth, feet washing was a courtesy. It was bestowed upon guests when they went into another’s home (Luke 7:37-38). Thus, the Lord was treating the disciples like his own guests. It was Jesus’ final Passover and he spent the time ministering to his disciples. At the same time, Jesus’ need was great. Only a short time later do we find him praying for deliverance from the upcoming events (Mt 26:39). Yet in all these things Jesus humbled himself in the sight of the Father.

If anyone has ever had bragging rights it was Jesus. He was the only begotten son of God (John 3:16). He was also a miracle worker (Mt 8:23-27). He could feed thousands with mere scraps (John 6:1-15) and his following was growing. He had something to boast about. Yet he didn’t. He never felt entitled. Rather he humbled himself in the sight of God and the disciples. He showed us how to act amid greatness.

---

Lord, please help me grow in humility. Take boasting out of my mouth and help me become a servant to others. Thank you for interceding on my behalf, Lord. Help me behave more like You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Slow, like Jesus

John 8:1-8 WEB

but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [2] Now very early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down, and taught them. [3] The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the middle, [4] they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. What then do you say about her?” [6] They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of. But Jesus stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger. [7] But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.” [8] Again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground.

---

Jesus is humble. We cannot know what Jesus wrote in the dirt. What is significant is he took the time to hear from God before he answered. Jesus had enough humility to slow down and listen before he blurted out the first thing that came to mind. I wonder though, why did Jesus take time here when in other places he does not? The answer is probably simple, a human’s life was on the line. This time there was more at stake than Jesus’ reputation. Another human’s life is in his hands. So, he slows down. He doesn’t presume upon his anointing.

He had the humility to pray for an answer. After he answered the Pharisees, he stoops down again. This is the one that intrigues me. I can understand why he took time to answer, but why is he taking time now? I suspect it was to say thanks to the Father. If I were in that situation, I would be profoundly grateful to the Father for giving me wisdom. And despite his divinity, Jesus is also human. That means he had human frailties.

If Jesus was bound to human frailties, how much more are we? I see Jesus taking extra time when another human beings’ welfare is on the line. It makes me realize, I need to slow down when I am giving answers that impact others. I used to drive the church van. While working with the van ministry I watched people fall away if any word of direction was given to them on the bus. For example, if someone brought an open container, we would have to tell them they could not bring it on the van.

People would get offended, and we would not see them again. Then one day, a woman with 3 rowdy children held the bus for 20 minutes before they were all on board. I did not want to lose this family. So, instead of saying something I went home and fasted for two weeks. I asked the Father to go before me and help me say what I needed to say to keep the van running smoothly.

When I brought the subject up, she was receptive to what I said. She did not get upset and fall away. Instead, she changed her behavior and started being ready on time to go to church. It was a profound experience for me because it highlighted how precious every person is to God. It taught me to go slow when I am interacting with others. More, it taught me to take time to first hear from the Father.

---

Lord Jesus, please help me grow in humility that I would always go slow and wait for you, especially when another’s welfare is involved. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Missing the Mark

John 7:40-43 WEB

Many of the multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, “This is truly the prophet.” [41] Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “What, does the Christ come out of Galilee? [42] Hasn’t the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” [43] So there arose a division in the multitude because of him.

---

The Pharisees did not reject Jesus because of where he was born. The Pharisees rejected Jesus because of prejudice in their hearts. They rejected him because he was a Galilean. Practically all Pharisees came from Judea. The idea of being associated with a Galilean was revolting to Judeans. So, the Pharisees did not take the time to find out more. There were people right there with Jesus who knew where he was born.

If the Pharisees had honestly inquired, they would have learned Jesus was born in Bethlehem. But instead, they assumed their prejudice was true. For this reason, they did not even inquire. So profound was their hate they would not even consider Jesus might be the Messiah. The Pharisees knew so much about the word of God and so little about true godliness.

Godliness is not being perfect. It is having a heart that seeks God’s ways. Take meekness for example. Meekness is not strictly a New Testament addition to the faith. In Numbers 12:3 the bible says Moses was meek above all men. So, the value of meekness was revealed in the Old Testament. Yet the Pharisees, with their hundreds of rules for serving God, did not have enough meekness to consider the possibility that Jesus was the Messiah. They lost touch with the personal God and turned the living God into an idol.

The Pharisees saw riff-raff when they looked at Jesus. However, if the Pharisees curried meekness the way they curried wealth and influence, they may have realized the truth about Jesus. The truth was Jesus fulfilled all the prophecies of the Old Testament. Yet because of prejudice, the most devoted of God’s followers did not see the Messiah.

---

Lord Jesus, please open my understanding that I can discern the things of God. Remove any blinders from my spiritual eyes and lead me into repentance if prejudice lives in my heart. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.  

God Rewards the Faithful

John 7:16-18 WEB

Jesus therefore answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. [17] If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God, or if I am speaking from myself. [18] He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.

---

These verses help us accurately discern the motives of Christian teachers. In the above verse, Jesus said to see who is being glorified. He taught if the glory falls on the teacher, what they are saying is not from God. However, if the glory goes to God, the teacher is trustworthy.  

It is dangerous to take God’s glory. Those who take God’s glory are in imminent danger of the Lord breaking out against them (Isa 10:15, Acts 12:21-23). God jealously guards his glory. Furthermore, God clothes who he wants with his glory, for his own purposes (Isa 48:11). Not that it is some sort of lottery (Heb 11:6). If we want to be chosen for God’s glory, we must bear God’s shame (Mat 16:24-25). Any one of us can pick up our cross and carry it with joy (1 Pet 2:20-21). To rejoice in shame and suffering is a holy thing (Rom 5:2-3). It’s the type of faith that God wants to plant in the hearts of others (Isa 61).

God wants to glorify people who willingly serve without glory (1 Cor 15:43). There are stories in the Old Testament that show people chosen for service in a seemingly random manner (Jud 4:4, 6:14, 13:25,). Take Moses for example, his family showed faith when they saved Moses (Exo 2:1-3). Then, Moses showed great faith when God spoke to him (Exo 3:4). Through faith, Moses’ family won the Levites an inheritance guarding the Lord’s glory (Exo 28:1-3). We can clearly see by the example of Moses and his family, God rewards the faithful (Psa 27:13).

---

Lord Jesus, please forgive me for talking so much about what I have done and so little about what you have done. Teach me to honor you and give you all the glory. Humble my heart, Lord, that I will joyfully carry my cross. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Modern-Day Martyr

John 6:57-58 WEB

As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of me. [58] This is the bread which came down out of heaven—not as our fathers ate the manna, and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.”

---

The Father knew that to keep the entire nation following Moses, he needed to provide the manna. It is strange to think that due to disobedience, the Israelites received a miracle (Num 14:1-4). When God came in smoke and rested on the Mountain, the Israelites pulled back from God. They wanted Moses. (Ex 20:19) They wanted a set of rules that they could see and touch.

I understand wanting to be secure in God. What’s unfortunate is when God offered the children of Israel the Promised Land, they could not trust him to take them in. When God wanted to meet with the children of Israel they also rejected him. They wanted bread, just not living bread. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are life. More, all life exists by the power of God. When Jesus said he was the True Bread, he understood the nature of life.

We can either eat the food of the world or we can eat the food of heaven. Eating the food of heaven is not so mysterious. Jesus said his flesh and blood were food and drink. (John 6:54) On the cross, Jesus suffered in his flesh and his lifeblood drained away. So it seems that eating and drinking Christ must have something to do with suffering and death.

That sounds terrible, but it’s biblical. In Colossians 1:24 WEB Paul says, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the assembly;” It is clear that Paul suffered in his flesh. Also, we know he was eventually martyred. Paul’s suffering and death were literal. Consequently, Paul changed the world. In his obedience to suffer, Paul wrote several of the most influential writings of all time.

Our suffering and death are metaphorical.  We do not get flogged in today’s western world. However, we are challenged. Each challenge that brings suffering is a faith opportunity. When suffering comes, do you wait on God patiently? Or do you fall apart wondering why God is not helping? If you wait patiently, you are eating the flesh of Christ. More, when you make decisions that help others at your expense, you are laying down your life which is drinking the blood of Christ.

---

Lord Jesus, please teach me to suffer with faith. Change me on the inside so that I am willing to lay my life down for others. Please teach me to eat and drink of you, Lord. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

The Exchange

John 5:9-11 WEB

Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. [10] So the Jews said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry the mat.” [11] He answered them, “He who made me well, the same said to me, ‘Take up your mat, and walk.’ ”

---

A man with an infirmity for 38 years was miraculously healed and all the religious leaders could do was criticize. The leaders of Judaism, in their pursuit of obedience to God, had made up hundreds of rules for practical daily living. Now, with God working in their midst they could not see Him. Instead, all they could see was Jesus inciting rule-breaking.

It is probably difficult to overestimate how often we substitute the teachings of man for the teachings of God. Jesus had healed a man and the Jewish leaders did not approve. The rules they created to be zealous for God had become an idol. The rules are an idol because the religious leaders had become more loyal to the rules than to God.

How did the leaders of Judaism fall into idolatry? They forgot the lesson of Moses striking the rock when God told him to speak to it. (Num 20:7-12) They forgot that God does not do everything the same every time. The religious leaders also forgot the lesson of the Israelites at the Mountain of God. They did not want to talk to God, instead, they preferred a book of rules to follow. They rejected knowing God personally. (Exodus 20:19) In the same way, the religious leaders of Jesus’ time had created rules that eliminated the need to trust God directly. They substituted teachings about God for God.

---

Lord Jesus, please help me recognize idolatry in my life so that I may repent. Lord, please help me care more about our relationship than I care about people’s approval. Please help me, love, without compromise. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

What do you Want?

John 1:37-38 WEB

The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. [38] Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?”

---

When Jesus looks around is he going to find you following him? I hope so! Those who follow Jesus get asked an amazing question, “what do you want?” If we are ever going to receive from Jesus, it starts by asking him to come into our hearts. And then it’s time to follow! We follow Jesus in Spirit and Truth. That means we seek a relationship with the Holy Spirit and know the Bible.

The Word of God tells us that anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit is denied by Jesus when he comes in front of his Father. I have come to believe that denying the Voice of God in our present reality is what the Bible refers to as blaspheming the Holy Spirit. This is why we have to be cautious not to worship the Bible. We don’t have a relationship with the Bible, we have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament, during The Exodus, the people of God were brought to the Mountain of God so that they could hear from God themselves. However, they did not want to hear from God and they asked Moses to talk to God for them. (Ex 20:19) They asked to be separated from God’s Voice. So, they got what they wanted. But, they were also denied entrance into the promised land. That entire generation died in the wilderness.

Following Jesus also means we read the Bible and know it because that’s our Truth. The Bible is our relational book; it defines our relationship with God. We can safely listen to the Spirit of God if we are secure in the knowledge of the Word of God. This is because the Word of God will bring correction to what we believe we are hearing. We know that the Lord God cannot lie, so the Spirit of God is not going to speak to us in ways that contradict the Word of God.

You don’t have to be afraid to listen to God’s Voice. Remember, God always gives us a way to escape the snare of the enemy. (1 Cor 10:13) When we listen for God’s voice, we are safeguarded from deception by knowing the Word of God. The Bible informs what we are hearing and lets us know if it really is from God. God cannot lie, but he also cannot deny himself. So, These two things go together for the follower, Spirit, and Truth.

---

Lord Jesus, I pray for a hunger for your word, and the courage to listen for your voice. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Adultery

John 1:17 WEB

For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

---

The law was given through Moses because the people rejected God’s Voice (Exo 20:19). After God delivered Israel from Egypt, he prepared them to meet with him (Exo 19:10-12). But when the time came, the Israelites were scared and told Moses they did not want to meet God. More, the people told Moses they would rather he talked to God and tell them what God said. So God gave Moses the law, but only after the people rejected him (Ex 20:18-19).

There is a similar phenomenon happening today. Because Christ overcame death he opened the door for the Holy Spirit to manifest in the hearts of every person who calls on the Lord (Rom 5:5). Once again, people can hear from God (Acts 4:21). However, instead of teaching believers to go directly to God, leaders are teaching people to go directly to the Bible (Mt 12:31).

In their zeal to educate people in the ways of God, ministers are teaching people to worship the Bible instead of God himself (John 5:39). Do you know why people do that? It’s the exact same reason the Israelites did it when they decided they preferred the law to God’s voice, fear (Exo 20:18-20). I think the people of God, in their desperation not to fail God, have decided they prefer the letter of the law to obedience to his voice (Rom 2:29).

Please do not misunderstand me, the Bible is an absolutely brilliant book in every way. Divinely inspired, it’s the story of God’s Journey with mankind. It’s God’s Story Still, it’s better to talk to God directly through prayer and then read the Bible (Jam 2:23). And if in a given moment you can only do one or the other, choose God (Jam 4:5).

---

Lord Jesus, please teach me to respect your word and to love You. Teach me to recognize the sound of your voice. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Anointed and Set Apart

John 1:6 WEB

There came a man, sent from God, whose name was John.

---

It has always been God’s way to choose a man or a woman and raise them up for his purpose (Romans 1:1, Hebrews 11:32). The Old Testament is full of heroes that were raised up in God’s timing to perform tasks and services for God. Most people know about Moses, King David, and the prophet Isaiah. All these men were raised up at a point in time to serve God’s purpose.

There are many other heroes you may not know about. For example, Rahab was a prostitute in the Old Testament who was raised up to serve God and accomplished his purpose (Joshua 2:6). In the time of Jesus, John the Baptist was raised up to serve a purpose for God (Luke 1:14-17).

In our modern era, the idea of a single person standing for God is not popular. In order to avoid favoritism, many ministries have attempted to open up space for a broad section of the laity to serve. There’s an idea that if the man of God has to leave this will prevent the ministry (or church) from collapsing. It’s an attempt to avoid losing an anointing that may rest with a single person. And, while it seems really fair and it feels really inclusive, it’s worldly. Because in the Bible, God picks a person to anoint to accomplish a purpose.

---

Lord Jesus, please help me recognize when another person is anointed to serve you. Please guard my heart Lord so that I do not use the world’s means to try and discern your Spirit resting on another. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.