Do you leave your shoes at the front door or do you wear it around the house? I sure hope so! Because a study from University of Arizona suggests that...
This week is Passion Week. Tomorrow (Thursday) is the day of the week when Jesus has the Last Supper with His disciples. John recounts the event (John 13):
2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 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,
Jesus knew that the Father had given all things into His hand (contrast Matthew 4 that we studied last Sunday). He didn't have to bow before Satan, because the Father was giving it all to His Son. Jesus also knew that He had come from God and was going back to God. Remember how excited you use to be knowing that it was the last day of school before summer break and you didn't have a care in the world? The joy in the heart of the Savior must have been tremendous!
The 440,000 units of bacteria found on the bottom of a shoe was a sneaker. The disciples wore open-toed sandals. All the dust/dirt from walking to Jerusalem was wedged between their toes. They probably laughed at the disciple that stepped in camel/goat dung, for they were a bunch of guys, after all. The bottom of their feet were dry, cracked, and smelled... ripe.
He cleaned them because they needed it in order to have a share with Him. He also did it to set an example to those who claim the title of a "Christ Follower"... a "Christian." The mark of a Believer is love for one another and humility. In fact, it is a command-- not an option-- to follow in the example of Jesus. A teacher only gives an example when he is trying to teach them to do the same. Which teacher shows an example on the board that is unrelated to the students?
I have seen it all over social media, "We are so blessed during this time because, xyz." Do you want true blessings? Do you want to be blessed by God? Wash one another's feet.
This Good Friday, we encourage you to spend time with your family. My dad took leadership in our home and called for the family to get together this Friday to do family devotions. I encourage you to do the same. And add a special element to your family devotion: wash each other's feet.
- The bottom of your shoe contains 440,000 units of bacteria
- 96% of shoes contain traces of fecal matter
- Shoes can carry E.Coli and worse... C.Diff
(source: https://www.wildcat.arizona.edu)
This week is Passion Week. Tomorrow (Thursday) is the day of the week when Jesus has the Last Supper with His disciples. John recounts the event (John 13):
2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him, 3 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,
Jesus knew that the Father had given all things into His hand (contrast Matthew 4 that we studied last Sunday). He didn't have to bow before Satan, because the Father was giving it all to His Son. Jesus also knew that He had come from God and was going back to God. Remember how excited you use to be knowing that it was the last day of school before summer break and you didn't have a care in the world? The joy in the heart of the Savior must have been tremendous!
Instead of celebrating, boasting, bragging, flexing.... He
4 rose from supper.
He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. 5 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.
He knows that His time is about to come. He can foresee the grueling pain and suffering that Isaiah and King David prophesied centuries ago-- speaking of His death. He takes refuge in His Father. He is aware that the devil is working in the heart of one of His own disciples.
...and Jesus quietly takes a towel and ties it around His waist, filled a basin, and washed His disciple's feet. Including Peter, who would deny Him. Including Judas Iscariot, who would betray Him. We quietly applaud Jesus' servant heart. Jesus did this with a clear intent:
“Do you understand what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, 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 also should do just as I have done to you.
17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
This Good Friday, we encourage you to spend time with your family. My dad took leadership in our home and called for the family to get together this Friday to do family devotions. I encourage you to do the same. And add a special element to your family devotion: wash each other's feet.
Comments
Post a Comment