The Washing of Feet

(John 13:1-16)


The dusty and dirty conditions of the region and the wearing of sandals necessitated foot-washing. Although the disciples most likely would have been happy to wash Jesus' feet, they could not conceive of washing each other's feet. This was because in the society of the time, foot-washing was reserved for the lowliest of menial servants. Peers did not wash one another's feet, except very rarely and as a mark of great love. Luke points out (22:24) that the disciples were arguing about who was the greatest among them, an attitude that precludes a willingness to stoop to wash feet. When Jesus moved to wash their feet, they were shocked. His actions serve also as symbolic of spiritual cleansing (vs. 6-9) and a model of Christian humility (vs. 12-17). Through this action Jesus taught the lesson of selfless service that was supremely exemplified by His death on the cross.


This was a last act by Jesus to instill into His disciples the meaning of humility before he was to be sacrificed on the cross for our sins.  The last opportunity to try and teach the importance of humility and what being a neighbor really meant.


Pastor Baldwin only has a couple of more Sundays before he too, answers the call of obedience and leaves his sheep to answer another calling.  Today he tried to instill in us the importance of humility in Sunday School by us washing the feet of others and and allowing others to wash ours.  


It was the most humbling thing I believe I have ever done. Not so much as the washer but the washee.  We were able to see and experience both sides of the coin.  A time of prayer and soul searching as the irony of the exercise began to seep into our hearts.


Jesus washed the feet of His disciples and taught them through example right before He left then to be with His Father in heaven.  Our shepherd helped us to understand the significance of washing feet before he leaves to answer God's call on his life.


There are no words to describe the irony of it all.  Another chapter is closing, another page is turned, but it is not the end.  We take with us the knowledge and wisdom of our previous experiences to begin a new chapter in our Christian Walk with Jesus as we mature into seasoned followers always setting the example Christ left 2000 years ago.

DUH!! Moment

DUH!! Moment

John 11:43 And when He (Jesus) thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth."

Most of us have heard the story of Lazarus and how Jesus raised him from the dead. We can almost recite it word for word. It is an awesome story that we never get tired of hearing. Well, we heard the story again not too long ago from a different perspective which brought about a DUH! Moment for me and a few others. The question was asked, “Why did Jesus say Lazarus’ name? “Lazarus, come forth”. Why not just say, “Come forth”. Well think about it for a moment. If Jesus said, “Come Forth”, then everyone from the beginning who had died, not just Lazarus, would be raised up from the dead.

Could you imagine?

A New Chapter

Myranda and Tyler are growing up.... too fast for their momma.   Myranda is taking Driver's Ed this week.  A new chapter in her life and another step toward independence.  She has her first "family date" coming up, meaning she can date, but has to be with our family or his family.

Tyler is starting to work a little at the golf course and has reached that awkward point in his life where the voice is changing and lets out a squeak every once in a while.  I have noticed a few whiskers appearing on the once baby soft skin and he soon will be learning to shave.

All of these are signs of maturing preparing them for stepping out on their own.  They are no longer in need of the nurturing from their parents, but they will always need our love, support and encouragement.  This is an exciting step in their lives as they turn the page to new experiences.  We as parents will have to step aside and watch them make their own mistakes and hopefully learn from them the first time and not say "I told you so".

Teenage years are awkward and can be quite challenging for both the teenager and the parents.  We as parents can only hope that we have laid a solid foundation of Christlike values, unwavering belief in Jesus and set the example of how Christians should live and pray that they will remember the true cornerstone of life and keep it front and foremost.

My Jerusalem

Jesus left a commandment to the Disciples to disperse from Jerusalem to share the Gospel reaching the far ends of the earth, meaning the Gentiles.  The church at this time was growing exponentially baptizing thousands at a time.  Against what Jesus asked, the disciples decided to stay in Jerusalem, after all, who wouldn't want to when you have daily baptisms, Christian fellowship, joy, happiness, fellowship with other Christians, and a time of rejoicing twenty-four hours a day.  Jerusalem was as close to heaven as one could get.  I can only imagine the overwhelming feeling of love that flowed freely during this time.

The Disciples disobeyed Jesus by staying in Jerusalem and not fulfilling the Great Commandment stated in Matthew.  A great persecution came over the disciples while in Jerusalem forcing them out of their comfort zone and into the foreign lands of the Gentiles.  They were, at first, unwilling participants of the Great Commandment, because of their ignorance in the needs of the Gentiles to know Christ.  Their Jerusalem was no longer the safety and security of fellow Christians, but became the unknown world of unfamiliar lands.  The only thing they had was Jesus and the knowledge of His Saving Grace.  The disciples dispersed and went their separate ways sharing the Gospel.

In present day a group of Christians with many talents, a desire to reach the lost and a love of Christ started a church.  It took a lot of time, effort, prayer, work and sweat but God was right their beside us guiding our efforts toward His Will.  The church grew with leaps and bounds, there was joy, there was fellowship, there was love for one another and it became a place of comfort for this group. God called part of that group to leave the church, our Jerusalem, but we didn't want to leave just then.  We wanted to participate and be a part of the growth and joy that came from within those walls, but God had other plans.  The difference in "The Vision" and difference of opinions became overwhelming,  not only for the seasoned Christian but also for the new Christian.

Out of obedience and love, we left our church, our Jerusalem, a place where we spent every waking day in worship, prayer and building the Kingdom. God scattered us just as He did the disciples to unfamiliar lands to share the Gospel of Christ and use our talents and desire to further His kingdom.  God is good, we out grew this Jerusalem and were sent by God to  tackle other challenges in different cities and towns.

Through all of this I realized that my Jerusalem isn't a town, a city, a building or people.  I carry my Jerusalem inside my heart because that is where I have asked Jesus to live.   My Jerusalem goes with me where ever I may travel, for you see my Jerusalem is not a dot on the map, but a state of the heart.