Hebrews 1:3 “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;”
Write this verse down on a 3×5 card and carry it with you. Throughout the day, pull the card out and try to memorize it. Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?
“Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” (John 13:6-7)
Peter finds this very uncomfortable. He does not want his teacher to wash his feet. Perhaps he realized that one of them should have taken to the task first. Now, the master had grown frustrated with them and done it himself. Peter, knowing his place was too proud to let Jesus serve him in this manner. There is a part of humility that requires one to receive a humble service. One who always serves others but refuses to be served can have a pride issue as much as the person that will not serve others. It is two sides to the same coin.
“Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.” (John 13:8-11)
Peter was stubborn, determined to get his way. In verse seven, Jesus kindly tells him just let me do this, and you will understand why in a few minutes, you do not want to miss out on this, you’re going to regret it. Imagen how Peter would have felt the rest of his life if he had gotten his way.
We tend to look at Peter and say, look how foolish he is. I would never do that. But how often do we do the very same thing? Jesus is asking us to submit to his will, and we stand and say no. He says to us, Go there, speak now, help them, but we say not me, Lord. The first submission we must learn in our Christian walk is yielding to the will of God.
It is interesting to see how Jesus flips the conversation from the present into a spiritual discussion about salvation. They are no longer talking about the washing of feet. This event is being used to picture what Jesus does for us in cleansing us from all unrighteousness. We must understand that we are unclean and in need of spiritual cleansing, a cleansing that can only be done by Christ.
Peter says, then clean me all over, but this was a picture of spiritual cleansing. The physical washing would do nothing for him. He had already taken two baths in preparation for this evening. The foot-washing was necessary because of the walk to the house. It is symbolizing the fact that each one of them had already believed that Jesus was the Messiah, except one. The washing of feet does nothing for the salvation of the soul; the foot-washing could not change the heart of Judas. The same is true of church membership, communion, baptism, or walking down an aisle. Salvation only comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:10 “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
Write this verse down on a 3×5 card and carry it with you. Throughout the day, pull the card out and try to memorize it. Think about these questions as you meditate on the verse. What does this verse teach me? How does this verse apply to my Life?
Just a few days after the triumphal entry, Jesus and His disciples met in an upper room to eat the Passover meal. Passover is a feast that commemorates God delivering the Children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It included the death of a spotless lamb, a picture of Christ’s future work on the cross.
“And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat. And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare? And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.” (Luke 22:8-13)
Jesus sent Peter and John to find the upper room and prepare the meal for them. The house they found after following Jesus’ instructions seems to have been that of a believer. Perhaps even a secret believer. One who had great respect for Christ and his disciples but was not an open follower.
After the necessary arrangements are made, Jesus and the twelve meet together in the upper room for the meal. As they sat around the table, getting ready to eat. The Apostles got into a discussion about who would be the greatest in the kingdom.
“And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.” (Luke 22:24)
“Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.” (John 13:3-5)
Jesus got up from the table and prepared himself to wash the feet of his disciples. As a custom, this was always done by the person of the lowest status in a group. A son would wash the feet of his father, a servant, his master, and so on. Jesus takes on this task himself to do it for his disciples. In this simple task, Jesus acts out a parable for them, one that they, I am sure, never forgot.
Let’s think about the details of the task. The creator of all things, “ All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:3) lays aside his outer garments and pours water into a basin, uses a towel as an apron, and wipes their feet clean. The men are lying down on pillows, ready to eat with their feet behind them. These men have been walking outside in the dust and dirt. Their feet were visibly dirty. One by one, He gently takes their dirty feet, pours water on them, and wipes them clean and dry. He washed the feet of the men who would preach the gospel to the world, and lead the early church. He knew what the future held for each one of the men. In doing this, Jesus was doing the most menial task in their society.
He also washed the feet of Judas, the betrayer. The feet of his enemy. Jesus lives out the example of loving your enemies for us. He knew what Judas was planing. Some think he washed Judas’ feet first to melt his heart and turn him from the actions he was about to do. We know that Christ cultivated close friendships. There is no reason to think it was any difference with Judas. He loved him as much as the rest, but it did not change what Judas had already determined to do. He had rejected Christ so entirely that he was willing to betray him.
Washing the feet of Jesus is something that all of them would have been willing to do. However, they would have had to wash the feet of the others as well. Not one of them wanted to place themselves in that position. They were too busy arguing about who was the greatest among them. They still did not understand what Jesus was going to do. That he would be taken, tried, and killed on a cross. They were thinking that they would be ruling with him in a kingdom.
What was Jesus teaching? First that they should be willing to serve each other in the most humble of tasks. Jesus was not just their teacher by words but examples. He showed them how to put others first, that the follower of Christ is one who is willing to do any task.
“So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” (John 13:12-16)
The necessity of this lesson is made evident by their discussion of who would be the greatest. Greatness, superiority, dominance is what the natural man wants to achieve. If they still had this idea in their heads when Christ was gone, it would destroy them and the work they were left to do. Christ wants them to understand that the spiritual man thinks first on how he can serve others.
“And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations. And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Luke 22:25-30)
Christ’s kingdom is not built upon the assertion of greatness and dominance. Its principle is kindness, love, and humility. Jesus wants us to change from desiring authority and fame to being a servant.
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.” (John 3:18-21)
As Jesus brings his teaching to a close, He clarifies who is and who is not condemned. His purpose for coming was not to condemn the world. He came to save the world from the guilt of sin by dying on the cross.
Some think that the purpose of the Mosaic Law was to make men righteous. But this is not the case; the purpose of the law was to show that man was not righteous. Through the law, God showed us a glimpse of what righteousness was. However, the law also provided a way of forgiveness, through sacrifices, when they failed to keep the law. The cycle of sin and sacrifices was never-ending. The best attempts to be righteous always fail. We all know this in our hearts, even if we will not admit it to others.
Jesus did not come to earth to condemn sinners; He came to give his life as a sacrifice or payment for their sin. Because Jesus came, every sin can be forgiven, and every heart can be freed from the guilt of sin. The only reason a person will be punished for their wickedness is if they refuse to place their faith in Jesus Christ, rejecting this gift of forgiveness.
Why would anyone reject such a fantastic offer? Because they like the darkness more than the light. Acceptance of Jesus as Savior makes necessary a change in action from sin toward righteousness. Sin is never as satisfying as it once was. People love their sin so much they are willing to reject the offer of forgiveness.
Why does a person need to be born again? Because they are a sinner by birth, and they must be made righteous by new birth. When a person rejects Jesus as Savior, they are choosing an eternity apart from God.
Questions to Ponder
Do you want to spend eternity with God?
Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ?
We now live in the reality of COVID-19, this is a genuine threat, and it has taken the lives of many already. While we must be prudent to take all of the necessary precautions we can. We must remember that the threat of death is not a new thing. Seventy-two years ago, C.S. Lewis wrote an article about living under the risk of the atomic bomb. His words are relevant to our time and are things to think about amid troubled times.
In one way we think a great deal too much of the atomic bomb. “How are we to live in an atomic age?” I am tempted to reply: “Why, as you would have lived in the sixteenth century when the plague visited London almost every year, or as you would have lived in a Viking age when raiders from Scandinavia might land and cut your throat any night; or indeed, as you are already living in an age of cancer, an age of syphilis, an age of paralysis, an age of air raids, an age of railway accidents, an age of motor accidents.”
In other words, do not let us begin by exaggerating the novelty of our situation. Believe me, dear sir or madam, you and all whom you love were already sentenced to death before the atomic bomb was invented: and quite a high percentage of us were going to die in unpleasant ways. We had, indeed, one very great advantage over our ancestors—anesthetics; but we have that still. It is perfectly ridiculous to go about whimpering and drawing long faces because the scientists have added one more chance of painful and premature death to a world which already bristled with such chances and in which death itself was not a chance at all, but a certainty.
This is the first point to be made: and the first action to be taken is to pull ourselves together. If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things—praying, working, teaching, reading, listening to music, bathing the children, playing tennis, chatting to our friends over a pint and a game of darts—not huddled together like frightened sheep and thinking about bombs. They may break our bodies (a microbe can do that) but they need not dominate our minds.
— “On Living in an Atomic Age” (1948) in Present Concerns: Journalistic Essays
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)
As he speaks to Nicodemus, He explained that the new birth is the result of placing your faith in the Son of man. Lest Nicodemus thinks that this is only for Israel, He continued. “For God so loved the world…” Nicodemus may have had a hard time excepting this fact. The popular understanding at the time was that God was only interested in the nation of Israel. But Jesus is telling him that God loves the world. God has loved every single person that has ever lived.
This offer of the new birth was not limited to one nation or group of people. God desires that every person is in fellowship with Him for eternity. But he has given us a choice. Just as he gave Adam and Eve a choice in the garden, the new birth is for whoever will receive it. You must take action. Knowing about the gift that God has offered is not enough. To make that gift yours, you must believe Jesus is the Son of God and that he came and died on the cross to pay the price of your sin.
Then he explains the purpose of the coming of the Son of God. It was not to condemn the world. There will come a time when the world stands before God to give an account for their actions and receive judgment. But this was not the time. He came “that the world through him might be saved.” This offer is open to all without exception.
Questions to Ponder
What would say about you if he were to judge your actions right now?
Have you excepted God’s gift of salvation?
“And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so, must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:13-15)
Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night to ask questions. Jesus tells him, you will not see the kingdom of God unless you have been born again. He explains that it’s not about his physical birth, but a spiritual birth. Nicodemus is confused; he believed that his entrance to the kingdom was secured by his heritage. Jesus then rebukes him because, as a theologian of Israel, he should have known this already. At this point, Nicodemus stops talking, and respectfully listens as Jesus continues to teach him.
Jesus begins teaching about the Messiah, of which the title “Son of man” is referring. He starts with bringing to memory an event in Numbers 21:5-9. Something that everyone, especially Nicodemus, was familiar. The Children of Israel complained about how hard their life was. Their sin was being ungrateful for all of God’s provision for them. God’s punishment for this sin, was sending fiery serpents among them, and those who bitten died. Finally, Israel repents and asks Moses to pray for them. God hears his prayer and instructs Moses to make a brazen serpent, place it on a pole and put it in the middle of Israelite encampment. He said, in this same manner, the Messiah will be lifted up in the middle of Israel.
This also helps explain how one is born again. The serpent was placed on a pole in the middle of Israel. Those who looked upon the brazen serpent would be healed and live. Looking was an act of faith. You would not cast your eyes upon the snake if you did not believe that you would be healed. If they obeyed, they would be healed, no matter how small their faith was. If a person did not think this would heal them, they would not look, and they would not be healed.
Faith is how a person is borne again. It is clear to us now, Jesus was talking about himself. New birth and new life begin by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. He was nailed to the cross and died for your sins. No matter how small your faith is, you can be born again.
Questions to Ponder
What are you trusting in for salvation?
Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ?
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?” (John 3:10-12)
After an explicit declaration and explanation of doctrine is given. Again Nicodemus expresses his lack of understanding in this area of spiritual regeneration. Jesus scolds him for this because of his position of authority.
Nicodemus was a very respected teacher in Israel. Not a teacher of ordinary men, he was mostliky the head of a seminary. He had attained a high position because of his learning. It is unacceptable that one of such importance would not understand the necessity for spiritual cleansing and regeneration. The scriptures that Nicodemus was an expert in teaches that all men are born sinners. Needing not only forgiveness but a change in their heart. This teaching is common throughout the Old Testament.
“And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.” (Deuteronomy 30:6)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psa 51:10)
“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:” (Eze 11:19)
Nicodemus had come to hear of heavenly things that he had not heard before. However, he was confronted with the things that he had knowledge of but did not understand. How could he ever hope to understand heavenly mysteries if he did not understand his need for a new birth?
How often do we take great pains to understand the complex texts of scriptures, while at the same time forgetting to practice what is plainly understood?
“No man can understand the Bible fully unless he is a humble Christian, and the easiest way to comprehend the truths of religion is to give the heart to God and live to his glory.” – Albert Barnes
Questions to Ponder
Do you live to the glory of God or self?
What simple teaching in the Bible do you struggle to practice?
“And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.” (2Samuel 9:1-3)
David has now had time to think about the promise he has made to his friend Jonathan. Many years have passed since Jonathan’s death in 1Samuel 31:2, “And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.” The time since Jonathan’s death has not always been easy. As we can see from the previous chapters, David has often been at war to protect the borders of Israel or to expand them. And the collecting of materials for the building of the temple.
The first time we see Mephibosheth’s name is in 2Samuel 4:4, “And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.” He was 12 when David was made king of all Israel. Mephibosheth is now an adult, he is married and has a son, living in obscurity in the care of others. 2Samuel 9:4 says, “And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lodebar.” These may have been his mother’s family that had survived. Nothing is known of this place called Lodebar. Its name means “pastureless” it is believed to have been on the east side of Jordan. If he desired to remain hidden from the king’s knowledge, this would be understandable.
David, all these years later, has thought of the promise that he made to Jonathan many years ago. 1Samuel 20:14-16 says, “And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David every one from the face of the earth. So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, Let the LORD even require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” We are reminded once again of the deep and close relationship that these two men had for one another, one of respect and honor that meant something to David years after Jonathan’s death.
An investigation is begun into the matter of the descendants of Saul. This investigation brings them to Ziba, a former servant of Saul’s, believed to have been a Canaanite who may have been freed upon the death of Saul. He tells David of the location of the last known descendant of Saul, the son of Jonathan.
At once riders are dispatched to the residence of Machir to find Mephibosheth and bring him back to the palace to meet the king. How would you feel if you were in Mephibosheth shoes? The questions and the fear of the possibility of execution. He had a legitimate claim to the throne. It would be consistent with the practice of kings throughout history.
2Samuel 9:6 says, “Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant!” He is at once doing all he can to submit to David. Showing his humility and expressing his desire to serve David. David had all the power here; he can give the word, and Mephibosheth’s death would be quick. However, David has a completely different attitude in the situation. There are excitement and joy in his heart for what he is about to do. And he gets to keep his promise to his friend after all these years.
David can see the fear in Mephibosheth’s eyes. His limbs are shaking, and perhaps his voice quivered a bit in his declaration to David. 2Samuel 9:7 says, “And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” What a grand expression of grace to this young man. The honor given to him is not on his account; it is on account of his father.
David restores all the land of Saul to Mephibosheth 2Samuel 9:9-10 says, “Then the king called to Ziba, Saul’s servant, and said unto him, I have given unto thy master’s son all that pertained to Saul and to all his house. Thou therefore, and thy sons, and thy servants, shall till the land for him, and thou shalt bring in the fruits, that thy master’s son may have food to eat: but Mephibosheth thy master’s son shall eat bread alway at my table. Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.” This arrangement would provide for Mephibosheth’s family, his young son Micha and his descendants.
David is an example of godliness here. Does Integrity matter? Yes. He kept his promise after many years, and the only one who knew about it was dead. Does kindness matter? Yes. He showed this kindness to someone he did not know and could do nothing to repay him. Does forgiveness matter? Yes. How could you give a blessing to the descendant of the man who tried to kill you on more than one occasion? These qualities to a godly person are as natural as breathing. The words of Jesus should ring in our ears as we contemplate this account.
Matthew 5:43 says, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
“love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.” is what the flesh wants to do. “Love your enemies,” is what you will be able to do if you walk in the spirit. “be the children of your Father which is in heaven” gives the motivation for it all, that we can imitate the actions of our heavenly Father.
In this account, we also see a spiritual application. 2Samuel 9:13 says, “So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king’s table; and was lame on both his feet.” Not for works that he had done but for the works and life of another.
In this, we see a picture of God, who calls the spiritually lame into His presents. Men and women who are unable to enter heaven on their own two feet, by their works, or by their Deeds. The spiritually lame are the sinful, immoral souls that walk this earth. This description applies to every one of us. God does this for only one reason. For the sake of Jesus Christ, who bled and died on the cross to pay our sin debt. He swings wide the gates of heaven for whoever will place their faith in Jesus Christ.
