John 13-9.27.22
Scripture
John 13:8-10
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.”
Observation
Even though we’re clean, we need to wash our feet!
Understanding
Peter was uncomfortable that Jesus, his Lord, would try to wash his feet. That task was assigned to the lowliest servants and slaves! Jesus told him that unless he washed Peter, Peter could not have relationship with him. Then he explains that those who have already bathed only need to wash their feet because the rest of their body is clean.
Our sins are washed away and forgiven when we come into relationship with Jesus – we are a new creation in Christ. But we keep walking in the world and our feet get dirty.
“But why is it so important that we “keep our feet clean”? Because if we are defiled, we cannot have communion with our Lord. When God “bathes us all over” in salvation, He brings about our union with Christ, and that is a settled relationship that cannot change. If we permit unconfessed sin in our lives, we hinder our walk with the Lord, and that is when we need to have our feet washed.” (Warren Wiersbe BE Bible Study Series)
Life Application
When I was a little girl, I went to church with my grandma for a little while and learned about Jesus and salvation. Not fully understanding, I would pray the salvation prayer every night before I went to sleep. I was saved the first time I asked. But that isn’t the ending. Every day I need to examine my heart and see where I have sinned against God and ask His forgiveness. This is necessary to have fellowship and grow in my walk with Him.
I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
I John 2:1-2 My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
-Debbie Dunn
2 Chronicles 33-9.26.22
Scripture
2 Chronicles 33:12-13 NLT
“But while in deep distress, Manasseh sought the Lord his God and sincerely humbled himself before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request. So the Lord brought Manasseh back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh finally realized that the Lord alone is God!”
Observation-What does it say?
Manasseh became king of Judah when he was just 12 years old. He did what was evil in the LORD’s sight. He followed pagan practices like witchcraft, sorcery, magic, and even consulted with mediums and psychics. And to top that all off, he even sacrificed his own sons in the fire in the valley of Ben-Hinnom! All of Manasseh’s sinfulness aroused God’s anger. So, God sent the Assyrian armies to capture Manasseh and take him prisoner. It was during this time that Manasseh sincerely cried out to the LORD. God heard Manasseh’s prayers and was so moved by them. He answered Manasseh’s prayers, and rescued him, and brought him back to his kingdom in Jerusalem. It was then that Manasseh realized that there was only ONE True God. So Manasseh chose to humble himself, repent against his sinful ways, and do things God’s way.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Sometimes it takes us hitting rock bottom before we decide to change our ways.
Why are we as people so stubborn sometimes? Why do we have to wait till the absolute last minute sometimes before we change our ways? In the case of Manasseh, maybe it was his immaturity of being thrusted to being the king at such an early age (12 years old) that led to some of his stupid decisions. Or maybe it was the lack of learning from the successes and failures from the kings before him (see my SOUL Journal from last week). Whatever the case may be, Manasseh made the right decision at the end of the day when he decided to call out to God, humble himself, and repent against his sinful ways. It ultimately saved his life and rescued him from captivity. Once Manasseh made that decision, God delivered him from his enemy’s hands and brought him back to his kingdom in Jerusalem.
So why wait till the last minute to call out to God? Why wait till we hit rock bottom? Why not do it now?! God is there waiting for you with open arms (He always has been). He is willing to meet you right where you’re at in life. Don’t let your stubbornness get in the way of something great. Call now! God is standing by.
“Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.”-Isaiah 55:6-7 NLT
Life Application
Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Live each day doing your best serving the LORD.
You ever watch the movie Schindler’s List? In it the main character Oskar Schindler uses his resources to help save and free thousands of Jewish people from Nazi captivity and death. Even though Oskar was able to save thousands, at the end of the movie he had so much regret. He thought to himself that he could’ve done more. He looked at his watch, then thought if he would have sold it, that would have saved even more Jewish families. He knew he was living an affluent life and at the end of the day, he felt he wasted it away. Oskar felt he could have used his resources and position to save more people.
That movie scene always hits me. All I know is that when I meet Jesus face to face, I would not want to think like that. I don’t want to think like Oskar, “I could have done more.” When my life is said and done, I would like to think that I did the best I could with what I had; that I served God each day of my life to the fullest. I pray when I do see Jesus face to face, that I am welcomed with Him telling me “well done my good and faithful servant.” 😊
-Moses Gaddi
John 11 - 9.23.22
Scripture
John 11:44
The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
Observation – What does it say?
This scene must have been incredible to witness. Jesus’ friend Lazarus had died, and following their burial customs they wrapped his body in strips of linen and wrapped a cloth around his head. They placed him in a tomb and rolled a stone across the entrance. After 4 days in there, Jesus had them roll away the stone, then he prayed and called out, “Lazarus, come out!” And like a scene out of a movie, Lazarus comes to life and walks out of the tomb like a mummy, strips of linen dangling and his face wrapped in cloth. Jesus told the people nearby to take off his grave clothes and let him go.
Understanding – What does it mean?
Grave clothes aren’t for the living.
I couldn’t help but be reminded as I read this passage of some others:
Ephesians 4:22-24
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Galatians 3:27
for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
Clothing is an analogy used throughout the New Testament to refer to our character and actions. Those who have believed in Jesus and been born again are commanded to take off the old clothes, which represent our sinful desires and actions, and to “put on the new self” which represents righteous desires and living.
What I find interesting in this passage is that Jesus told the people around Lazarus to take off his grave clothes. It’s in the context of community that we learn to walk in freedom. While we have a personal responsibility to put off our old clothes and put on the new, we also have a responsibility to one another to change our clothes; to help each other leave our sin and live for God.
Life Application
Prayerfully consider today:
Are there grave clothes (sinful desires/actions) I’m still wearing that I need to put off?
Do I need to ask my church community to help me in any of those areas with resourcing, encouragement, accountability, etc.? If so, who will I ask?
Are there people in my church community who are still wearing grave clothes that you’re asking me to IN LOVE, help get free? If so, God, please show me what that looks like.
God, may we be a people who don’t walk around in grave clothes, claiming to be alive. Give us a passion to turn from sin and live for you. And may we help each other walk in freedom and love and righteousness. Amen.
-Levi Thompson