This very morning, there was an urgency in my spirit to hear what the Heavenly Father had for me today. He quickly showed me this interesting idea in John 13:3-26. (NKJV)
You will want to read through all of it, but I will highlight some things that were revealed to me.
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.
6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”
7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”
8 Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”
9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
10 Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”
12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I do not speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with Me has lifted up his heel against Me.’
19 Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that I am He. 20 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.” (Note here it is God’s way to tell us things in advance so that we may believe He is God!)
As I pondered this passage even briefly, I was considering the fact that I have read this scenario many times, heard it preached and taught many times; and all I could wonder was what is it You want me to see here, Lord?
A couple of things stood out to me instantly.
Jesus was going from one to the next of the disciples washing them, but it was Peter who questioned Him. It was Peter who wanted to understand more. And after he questioned Jesus and was answered by Him, Peter was quick to answer in opposition to what Christ was doing.
And this I love. Did Jesus get upset with him? Did He scold Peter for questioning Him? Did Jesus get all worked up because Peter argued with Him? Nope. Peter goes so far as to say, ‘No, Jesus. You are not washing my feet. Not now, not ever. It’s just not right!’ And Jesus gets right to the point. Calmly, without arguing back. Simply put, this is part of our relationship. If you are going to be in relationship with Me, this is what you will allow.
Whoa, now. I need to take that in for a minute.
But it didn’t take Peter that long. He instantly accepted by saying, ‘If that’s the case, wash my hands and my head too!’ Wash me more!
You’ve got to love this guy. Passionately against. Then just as passionately opposed to his earlier thought. The change comes when he hears Jesus. Hearing the Lord is the difference maker in our life. When I hear Him and I know it, that is all it takes. All of a sudden. there is no other answer, no pondering what might have been; there is only the word that He has spoken. Do you want a relationship with me or not? If so, this is how it is. I serve you. Accept it.
So, I say to you serve this way, knowing the One Greater than you I AM, giving you gifts to share; offering healing to all who come and say, “I need healing!”
Offering up Himself completely in all ways for your good. There is none other.
I came to serve. Why are you here? I sent you to serve.
So, why do you get so worried over how things will turn out?
Do you not know I am already there?
Do you forget so quickly that I have made all things come to pass? And for my glory I do it, so why would I fail? I AM the God that never fails you.
So this divorce of your mind from your body- your thoughts from your actions, it does not suit you.
You must gather all your strength and throw it to the wind that howls at your door. Because in your own strength, there is nothing to profit in My Kingdom.
But in My strength, you do find rest, you do find peace; you will abide forever- for it is without end; without fail; without need.
Rest in Me and serve.
Thanks Jill, what a powerful blog. It’s a bit overwhelming to know that Christ is a “servant” to me sometimes. I have to accept that, but knowing that even in that “servant position”, Christ is still in control and full of grace and strength, and peace. So much so that I can fully rely on and trust in Him, and find strength in Him. So much so, that when I find myself in a “servant position”, I can be in “control” and full of grace and strength and peace because of Christ. What an example He set for us! I feel like Peter sometimes, and that’s OK. Just so we listen in the end. Listening to and hearing Christ does make a difference in our lives for the better. Sometimes it’s not easy, but better!
Thanks again, Jill, for allowing God to work through you to lead and teach us. Can’t wait for the next “installment”.
God Bless, Kathy
You are a true blessing to others, Kathy. I love your insights!
Dear Jill,
I just want you to know that God is using you in my life. I really needed to hear this tonight. God is in control!
Love,
Elisa
Elisa, I am blessed and humbled by your words. What a faithful God we serve. Much love to you!