JOHN 13:1-5 – Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

THEME OF THE DAY: DYING TO SELF. We are given a glimpse into the heart of the Lord Jesus.  What do we see?  A lot. His love and humility shine the brightest.  It was love that caused Him to be in the position of being betrayed by Judas and finish the mission as the Lamb of God dying for the sins of His people. Humility?  The Creator washed the feet of His creation, and not just His creation, but sinful creatures.  Apart from the humiliation of dying on a cross, this act of selfless service was the highest display of humility ever witnessed by a human being.

Yet, there is a lesson imbedded in the act of love and humility by our Lord that is to become more and more a reality in our lives.  Imagine what is going through the mind of Jesus.  In the Apostle John’s words we know – when Jesus knew that His hour had come to depart out of this world, He loved them to the end.  His hour had come.  What hour?  The hour of the cross.  The time of the ultimate sacrifice for the sins loomed.

How do we feel when something is in our lives, that hasn’t happened yet, but will, and it is going to be hard, painful, and is attempting to control our hearts and minds?  We each have been there, and our tendency is to so focus on ourselves and circumstances that we are largely blinded to the interests of others.  And remember, our Lord told us self-denial, not self-focus, is the way to life and discipleship – And Jesus said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23).  And Jesus modeled what He taught. If anyone had a right to think about Himself during this hour of His life, it was Jesus – perfect, innocent, and about to suffer excruciating pain for others, yet, He would not serve Himself, protect Himself, or hold back anything for Himself.  This is the attitude behind the actions of love and humility.  May it be so for us as we continue to be conformed into the image of Him who modeled living and dying for others.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for the fullness of Your love directed toward me.”

QUOTE: “To die to self is the Christian life. All spiritual growth hinges on self-denial.”

In the affection of Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim