Patoral Ponderings

Behold, God is With Us!

(The Christmas portion of the Messiah)

The church is well into its Advent Season with much activity surrounding the celebration. Among many traditions realized during this time is that of music. Music has brought confession to our lips, excited the imagination, and warmed the heart. It is one of the ways we prepare and respond to the Word preached.

Christmas music has presented the silly and sublime in an attempt to capture happiness, joy, and peace. As you navigate your way through the shopping centers and stores you will undoubtedly have heard the same songs played repeatedly, many of which communicate a truncated and superficial understanding of why we celebrate this season. While there is always a concerted commercial attempt to secularize the advent of Messiah, the church, however, must remain diligent in its mission B to bring attention and adoration to the incarnate deity who arrived in the fullness of time (when the time was right) to bring salvation to man.

One such piece of music brings together all elements of Christ’s mission, both advent, ministry, and future reign. Handel’s Messiah is an oratorial written by Charles Jennens, an English Aristocrat and composed to Music by Handel. This work takes 81 Scriptural references from 14 different books of the Bible, 21 verses from Isaiah, 15 from the Psalms, and 10 from Corinthians 15. Many people felt it was blasphemous but given that Handel, himself, noted on the manuscript,” to God alone the glory, “it’s hard to imagine that any audience s=could have interpreted the music as anything less than divine. Further, it’s not a Christmas piece, but, as Jennings described his work, “a mediation of our Lord as Messiah in Christian thought and belief.” Yet it does begin with prophetic references to the incarnation.

Given the intensity of biblical reference, I believe it is one piece of music that can be both confessional as well stirring the soul to praise and adoration for our Messiah and King. As we think through the incarnation this season, I would like to take various parts of this confessional statement and piece together our purpose for celebrating the Christ of Christmas.

So, what are some of these Themes of Scripture as presented in the Messiah? They span a range of prophetic and NT Scriptures that have to do with the for shadowing of Jesus' birth, as well as the announcement of the birth. Likewise, the Messiah touches on the purpose of his ministry and much of the oratorio is concerned with Messiah’s death, burial, and resurrection with it looking forward to the Millennial Kingdom. As we hear Scripture put to music let us allow the music to enhance the Scriptures and let us allow the Holy Spirit to use the written Word of God to quiet our activity and swell with praise to our King -the Lord Jesus Christ.

The glorious message of Christmas is, that while we were were sinners, far from God, subject to the His wrath (Romans 1:18) and judgment, He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, the "lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29) to be our substitute; to take on the wrath that we deserve so that we might have peace with God. The writer to Hebrews tells us that he took on flesh and blood, "that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death that is the Devil (Heb.2:14-15). So, the Incarnation is Emmanuel, "God with us" the greatest gift one could receive, a Savior, a redeemer, and an intercessor from the power and presence of sin. May you receive this gift by placing your trust in Jesus Christ as Savior.

Good Will and Grace

In reading Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress we find ourselves at the wicket gate, that Christian has been journeying toward, and encounters Mr. Goodwill who pulls him through the gate. Once inside Christian askes Mr. Goodwill if he could help him take the burden off his back? However, Mr. Goodwill tells him to follow the streight and narrow path to the place of deliverance-at that place the burden will fall off by itself. Mr. Goodwill then introduces Christian to "interpreter," who is "holding a book with his head lifted up to heaven and the best book in his hand." The interpreter takes him to a room full of dust, so much dust that you could choke on it. At the interpreter's direction, a young woman enters the room and sprinkles water over the dust, then, it is swept clean. The interpreter explains that the dust was the heart of one who was never been sanctified by the sweet grace of the Gospel.

Of course, the dust metaphor is original sin and the water sprinkled over the dust was pointing out that only the precious blood of our Savior Jesus Christ is able to cleanse us from that sin and bring us near God. Paul reminds Titus of this in his letter to Titus: Titus 3:5-7, " ...he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. so that being justified by His grace we might become airs according to the hope of eternal life." He was our offering.

The Levitical offerings were instituted, by God, as a way of introducing a process of transformative consecration. The root of the Hebrew word for offering means to "draw near," so the entire offering system was God initiating a way for Isreal to draw near to Him. Atonement, then, was a means to an end; a means by which Isreal would be able to draw near to YHWH.

However, this system was perpetual and was subject to the heart of the worshipper. A more complete and perfect sacrifice was needed, one which would draw all Tribes, Tongue, and Nations of the Earth to himself (Rev. 5:9; 7:9); one that would remove the dust of sin and would create a new heart within (Ezekiel 36:26). That is our great High Priest of Hebrews 9 who entered into the Holy Place by means of his own blood and secured an eternal redemption (atonement for sin to bring man to God) for all who by faith, believe in the Son of God. Until we come to the cross we will never have peace because this is the provision by God to bring us near to him and to create a true righteous perspective toward other Tribes, tongues, and nations.

It stands to reason then, that none of our current or past cultural vitriol or our Ethnic disenfranchisement of peoples will be solved apart from God creating a new heart within us. I invite you to experience real peace, real value, and really worth through our Great High Priest and Savior -Jesus Christ, The Lord, who sits on the Throne.

Security: Psalm 125

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Security from Psalm 125

As temperatures plunged from a pleasant 40 degrees to a chilling 21 degrees, snow began to fall lasting into the following day.

Accumulations were light and soon all remnants of this storm will be gone. My wife was commenting on how shocking this was as we are expecting spring to be around the corner even though we realize it will only be March in a few days.

This reminded me of the storms that enter our lives unexpectedly and suddenly. We no sooner are clearing up the rubble from the last challenging life event, and expecting calm, when another "life storm" hits with vengeance. However, while these storms can be surprising, they should not be unexpected. After all, Job states, "..but man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward." (Job 5:7). We recognize that this trouble is a result of a sin-cursed world in which suffering and hardship will visit all of us and death will be our last enemy.

So, what words is this psalmist able to bring to these surprising and untoward storms in our lives? To answer this question we must be a traveler with those singing this psalm in the assurance of God's absolute protection and strength.

This is a psalm of people ascending to worship at the Temple. As they made this climb to the top of the Temple mount, they remembered that they are about to worship a God who surrounds them on all sides with His loving care and protection. Psalm 125:1-2, describes God's security in terms of Zions mountain surrounding them on all sides. The people of Israel sing of trust in the Lord as a sure and secure place to be be. They compare that security in verse 2 that the Lord surrounds His people like the mountains that surround their city. Firm, sure, protective and unfailing. "It is good to sing praises to your name,Oh most high;to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night.."Elsewhere, we are introduced to God as one who covers us with His wings of protection which comforts us (Psalm 90:4).

So, when life's storms hit you, don't work feverishly to pick up the rubble; instead turn to the sure, strong, protective and loving savior Jesus Christ, who's powerful work on the cross will walk through the storm with you and will calm the seas of fear,uncertainty and disquiet. Instead our Lord will give you peace and the certainty that His actions will produce, growth in you, and bring glory to Him.

Thanks to God,

Pastor Bob

The Light In the Darkness

The famous story Pilgrims Progress written by John Bunyan begins with a man named Christian bearing a great burden on his back and a book in his hand. He is weeping and trembling as he reads of judgment to come. He cries out, “What shall I do?”

His family and neighbors consider him deranged. For days he walks alone in the fields, reading and praying, distraught.

Finally, a man named Evangelist comes toward him and asks why he is crying, he replies he fears the judgment of Hell and doesn’t know what to do or where to go. Evangelist points to a wicket- gate and shining light in the distance and asks if he sees it.

“Keep your eyes on that light,” Evangelist instructs, “and go directly to it; then you will see the gate. Knock on it, and you will be told what you should do.

Isaiah the prophet, standing in the temple and seeing the Glory of God seated on His throne in His holiness. Cries out, as only one can do when sinful flesh meets the Holy God, “ I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.” Bunyan’s pilgrim likewise cries out, as he reads the holy book, for his sins.

As in the city of destruction, so in our culture, our need for God and our need for repentance and reconciliation seldom surface. We live our lives in a world that is full of injustice, hypocrisy, degradation, and despair. Yet the Book of life, the holy book Is always available to each of us to reveal our sinfulness and Gods holiness. Certainly to show us our tremendous need and utter dependence, but, more importantly, to show us how a holy God provides a way to meet him in His grandeur and Holiness. Like Isaiah, this book brings hope to those who follow after the God of the book. Though we live in a dark land, full of insecurities, we are given the hope of being secure in Him through the work of Christ on Calvary’s Cross. It is there that we are taken out of the city of destruction and set on a pilgrim’s path of sanctification –to be more like our Holy God.

Centuries after Isaiah prophesied, Matthew uses his prophecy to point to Jesus, “the people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them, a light has dawned.”

Evangelist told Christian to keep. “Keep your eyes on the light.”

When we live in a world that is dark and rife with crisis we need a light that is brighter and more hopeful than that which flickers on our screens. We need a light that illuminates a clear path and a hopeful destination. Even in the uncertainty of this life, Jesus is still the light of the world and we are his pilgrims. We follow a light that gives a clear path and a gate that leads to a secure eternal destination.

Isaiah compels us to action with another challenge: “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.” (Isaiah 60:1).

Happiness is more than A Nice Story

As Pliable and Christian walked, Christian explained to him the path to the gate and described the celestial city which Evangelist had implored him to walk toward. “We will be given crowns of glory and garments that will make us shine like the Sun.” it will be a place of that has no sorrow or pain or crying or shame. Angles will dazzle them for all would be loving and holy.

Pliable was inspired! Unlike Christian, he had no burden on his back, and he said, “Let’s hurry,” But before long they fell into a blog called the Swamp of Despond. There, they floundered in the mud.

Pliable, of course, was unprepared for this setback and found it rather annoying. “Is this the happiness you’ve been telling me about?” Pliable answered in a rather angered tone. Pliable eventually freed himself from the mud and returned to the City of Destruction.

Christian shared the great and wonderful news with Pliable, he quoted the blessed book. I’m sure he must have shared the psalms –full of God’s wonders and the accounts of the Gospel being announced by the Angels or maybe freedom for the burden he was carrying.

Initially, Pliable had listened eagerly and was certainly enamored with stories of the celestial city where joy was inescapable and was everlasting. A place where there was no more crying or pain. But what happened to them is what often happens in our spiritual walk. We are walking in happiness –we are rejoicing and God Is moving in our heart. There is great victory like Elijah and the prophets of Bale look what great victory he had. Seeing the mighty hand of God and then, there was Jezebel, the mud, the spiritual swamp. This is the place where we start slogging through challenges and sometimes end up in the swamp.

The problem with pliable is that he carried no burden on his back. He was unaware of his shallowness and great need. He had no conviction over his sin-he fell short of the glory of God. He is an example of so many who are enamored with the thought of the rewards and all the benefits of this kingdom. They may even travel with Christian for a season, hoping to find a way to these promises without understanding the burden of sin, nor acknowledging the sin-bearer, Jesus Christ. They don’t understand the road by which they are traveling toward the city of God is hard and unattainable apart from Jesus Christ the righteous Son of God; which is the road and the light they must follow. Jesus said as much in John 14:6. “Jesus said to them, “I am the way the truth and the light. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pliable did not understand his true spiritual condition and as a result, he did not know how close he was to salvation. Because he hadn’t come to an understanding of his true spiritual condition he had no idea what he was walking away from. However, Christian did and he was willing to keep struggling through that swamp towards the light.

Man is inspired, like Pliable, by the thought of eternal rest and freedom for the city of destruction. What person would find this possibility objectionable? Who wouldn’t want to go to such a place, but the reality, which Pliable came to realize, is that, we carry this terrible burden of sin on our backs and it is a hard taskmaster. We must flee to the cross unburdening our guilt and sin at the feet of a Suffering Savior. Like Evangelist told Christian you cannot enter the celestial city without going through the gate. That Gate is the sacrifice of the sinless Son of God who was, “for our sake, he made him to be sin, who knew no sin so that in him we might become that righteousness of God” (2Cor.5:20).

I wonder dear reader; do you understand that burden of sin that you are carrying? Do you understand that only Jesus the righteous king can unburden you? Isaiah issues the call this way,

“Seek the LORD while he may be found;

call upon him while he is near;

7 let the wicked forsake his way,

Help is Needed!

Stuck in the Swamp!

Pliable manages to free himself from the swamp of Despond and return to the City of Destruction, offing no help to Christian. Christian finds himself continually struggling in this swamp of Despond. He frantically makes his way over to the side nearest the wicket-gate but is unable to get out because he has this terrible and heavy burden on his back.

After some time of struggle and nearing exhaustion a man by the name of “help” came along and asked, “What are you doing in there?”

“sir< Christian said, “I was told to go this way by a man named Evangelist, who directed me also to yonder gate,…and as I was going toward it, I fell in here.”

“But Why did you not look for the step?” asked Help?

Christian admitted that he had been so afraid that he wasn’t paying attention.

“Give me your hand.” Said Help. Then he drew Christian up to firm ground and told him to go on his way.

We all need help in our Christian walk; to say we can do this on our own without the body of Christ giving us help is a recipe for getting stuck in the “swamp of despond.” For “Christian” he had been so caught up in his own concerns and was not paying attention to where he was going that he missed the steps that would have kept him out of the sludge!

For many of us, we become tethered to our own concerns, worries, and problems that we inevitably end up in the swamp. We fail to listen and embrace the Word of God. We place our Bible on the shelf or we eat our morning “cereal” devotional and then allow the cares of the day to envelop us and drag us to the swamp. The Swamp then obfuscates the firm path of the Holy Spirits strength and direction. However, light is able to be shed on that firm path if we turn to the Scriptures and allow it to direct our paths.

Psalm 119 speaks of the completeness of His precepts found in His word. This psalm is the longest in the psalter and the most thorough as to the benefits of the Word of God. In verses 9-16 the psalmist sets an instructive use of God’s Word as a sort of catechism -a question is asked, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” Answer: By keeping your word. Then he makes statements about his answer, “I have sought you with all my heart…I have treasured your words in my heart …teach me your statutes…I meditate on your precepts and think about your ways, I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” Again in Psalm 119:105 the psalmist proclaims, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light on my path.” In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul reminded us in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired of God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” We need the Word to show us what is true and what is wrong in our lives. This is the light that will illuminate the clear and firm ground –keeping us out of the mud.

Scripture provides the stability and guidance we need to see clearly the firm ground and God’s people are needed to help lift us out of the swamp onto firm ground. Through them, we are able to share our burdens and receive assistance when we need it and offer that assistance to others. Paul put it this way in Rom. 15:1, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and no tot please ourselves…”

I came to this place in my life. After a very difficult ministry, a son who fought a battle with leukemia and a daughter whose husband left her for a homosexual lifestyle. I felt as if the perfect storm had hit and the mud was deep. Yes, God was my portion and strength but He also knew I needed “Help” to pull me out of the swamp. He did that through a new friend who came alongside of me and, without criticism or judgment, said by his actions, “let me walk with you for a while, let me help you get your feet back on firm ground.” As I continue to walk this journey he remains beside me letting me know that he won’t let me do this alone.

My friend the work of the church is to make disciples and disciple-making can only be done by investing in each other’s lives. May you invest in someone today!

and the unrighteous man his thoughts;

let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him,

and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7

Find him at the Cross, confess your sin to Him and turn toward righteousness.

Why is it Important to Read the Word of God Publically?

9/10/2020

The title of this blog may sound a little parochial-like isn’t this obvious; but I would encourage you to ask this as a serious question. Many churches do not give much attention to this aspect of worship with attention to the reading given a footnote in the “preliminaries”. Quite frankly, I have been challenged to give more attention to our services. As I read through the Reformers and Puritan writers like Edwards, Owens, Bunyan, and Chalmers to name a few, reading scripture to their congregations was prioritized in that they spent a good deal of time doing it, often reading whole books. Justin Martyr notes in his famous description of worship in the second century. “And on the day called Sunday, all who live in the cities or in the country gather together in one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray” (1 Apology 1.67; ANF 1:186).

Likewise, I was blessed as a young man, to sit under the teaching of Dr. James Boice, (Tenth Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia) who spent a good deal of time during morning worship Publically reading extensive passages from the New Testament and Old Testament. How rich that was to just hear God’s Word read allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to my heart in preparation for the Message. To me, that electrified the room and there seemed to be unity with other believers around me as we fellowshipped with each other, in response to God's Word. As I contemplated that rich and formative experience it brought to mind some thoughts on the Importance of the Public reading of God’s word.

First, to read God’s Word aloud is to be filled with God’s grace in our lives. I think of it as taking a long bath in Grace, where every Spiritual muscle is soothed and favor is bestowed on those muscles that have been abused and damaged by my sin. It is God speaking directly to His Church through His holy, Inspired, inerrant and authoritative Word (1Timothy 4:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) and we are commanded to not neglect it. Further, we are, in turn, acknowledging our dependence upon the initiative of self- revelation. We are surrendering, in community, to the Lordship of His Word. As we hear it being proclaimed the Spirit is uniting us, setting us apart, individually and in community from the world around us and he is doing it through his revealed truth.

In John 17 Jesus prays to the Father not to take his followers out of the world, but to set them apart from it. In this prayer, he acknowledges that the setting those apart from the world takes place only through truth revealed-His Word (John 17:17, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth). So, Our Lords revealed that truth (His Word) contains the tools that will equip and make fit the believer to be distinct (holy) from the world. By hearing the Word we will escape the lie of the world. By hearing corporately we reaffirm together our mission of the Gospel and our striving together in Holiness.

Secondly, we should be reminded that scripture is to be read for a response of obedience. Moses read from the book of the Law to the people of Isreal as they sojourned at the base of Mount Sini, Ex. 24:7; Moses read the word of the covenant, the people heard and obeyed. As Joshua crossed over the Jordan and took the cities of Jericho and then Ai he gathers the people at the foot of Mt Ebal and Mt. Gerizim to renew the covenant with them. It was here that “he read all the words of the Law to the assembly “…There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Isreal…” (Joshua 8:34-35).

Moreover, how exciting and encouraging it must have been for Hilkiah, the priest, to have found the “book of the Law” in the rebuilding of the Temple. Josiah hears the word and responds on behalf of himself and the nation in repentance for disobedience to it. In Chapter 24 he then goes to the House of the Lord and reads the “book of the covenant” before all the people. How do the people respond, they stand with Josiah in his covenant to keep all the commandments, testimonies, and statutes.

Later, in the effort to restore Temple Worship after a long captivity, we see Ezra reading the book of the Law form morning to midday before the people.

Additionally, in the New Testament, we see Jesus reading the Scriptures, from Isaiah, in the synagogue, and then states, “Today the scriptures have been fulfilled in your hearing.” Paul exhorts young Timothy to devote himself to the “Public reading of Scripture”. This was a responsibility to the gift he had been given as a shepherd.

As we see the public reading of the scriptures was significant to the hearers in that they were reminded of their need for relationship, as a community with, God. But it didn’t stop with a reminder, it elicited a response to believe something and change something; namely their relationship with God and responsibility to each other. My mother would always say, “Your sister says she’ll do something and then doesn’t do it; conversely, you argue with me about doing it but then do it.” Then she would finish with, “I would like for both of you to hear my word and do them.” Why, because her words had authority and I would find freedom and joy in obedience. This is what God says; delight in my word and find freedom and joy in responding to it.

Thirdly, we need to read all of Scripture before the congregation with energy, delight, understanding, and passion. We should approach our reading as Jeremiah when he said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16). When the Word is read during Worship do you find delight in hearing it? Do they fill your soul with rivers of living water? More importantly, are we so moved by the Word of the living God that we cannot help but respond to it in obedience? As a New Covenant Community and the body of Christ, we are to acknowledge the truthfulness of, and responsibility to do, the Word. As James points out, let’s not be shops tossed by the waves, and let’s not be as one who looks at his face in a mirror and then forgets what he looked like (James 1:6; 22-25). May we hear the Word and tie ourselves to its moorings. May we read the Word Publically with a careful, contrite, and anticipatory heart.

Why is it Important to Read the Word of God Publically?

9/10/2020

Later, in the effort to restore Temple Worship after a long captivity, we see Ezra reading the book of the Law form morning to midday before the people.

John’s Gallery of the Upper Room

If you were to walk into an art gallery you would be impressed with a collection of paintings from a variety of painters. Some are just random, but many are a storied collection; a theme and statement, by the artist, of the way they see the world or events in our world. Sometimes they are confusing, at other times they make a clear statement about how they want us to see the world.

Many artists would like the art to speak for itself or to be mysterious. As Francis Bacon has said, “The Job of the Artist is always to deepen the mystery.” However, unlike many artists who share this sense of “deepening the Mystery,” John has no such intentions with the task before him.

We see in the Gospel of John a mastery of paintings that express the divine- inner nature of our Lord and Savior, His heart is exposed, and he leaves no mystery for us to guess what is meant by his actions. In chapter 13 of John’s Gospel, John will paint for us several portraits that will reinforce his origin, character, and purpose.

John begins this whole chapter with the self-awareness of his divine origin (vs 1-2). He knows the Father has given all things into his hands (vs3 same Greek phrase used in chapter 1 “in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” He had been from all eternity “toward God” (pros ton theon) or face to face with God.

Jesus, being sovereignly in control of this entire event not only knows that Satan has filled the heart of Judas, but he knew something else (vs3), He was going back as the victor. He knew that all Judas was about to do was preordained, not in Satan’s hands, but the God of the universe. He shall bruise (crush) his head, but you shall only (strike) his heal. The Hebrew word is the same but the place in which the action happens produces a totally different outcome. Jesus Christ the Messiah, the seed of the woman would deliver a fatal blow to the serpent’s head. Satan went for the kill (the cross) but missed and, instead, the cross became his defeat and the propitiatory, substitutionary atonement for man.

Portrait of Humility: What would you say after Jesus makes this statement, “the Father has given everything into his hand? You would probably finish with Jesus displayed his divine glory of the one who possesses all authority of the universe. Let me demonstrate how exalted I really am. But, instead of placing a crown of royalty on his head and telling his disciples to bow low before him and give him accolades of royalty, he does something very unexpected -he serves this very sordid bunch. After all, they had just been arguing over who would be the greatest in the Kingdom.

The brush strokes and color being used on this canvas are purposeful, instructional, and preparational for the work they and we are to carry out after his departure.

He rises from the table and begins to disrobe. He is at the head of the table but takes the place of a servant to wash the feet of his proud disciples. In dramatic form, the Son of God, the Word made flesh, gives us a picture of the wounder of his incarnation and humility.

Phil 2:7 Paul reminds us with another painting of incarnational glory, which we can place beside this one in John. He emptied himself not by subtraction of his Deity, but by addition, by the assumption of our frail humanity. He did not empty anything intrinsic in his deity but devoted himself to saving us by assuming our nature. The one who never ceased being God took “the form of a servant” with a life of humiliation. He did this in order to take away our sin. Not by emptying himself of eternal attributes but by taking on temporal attributes he did not possess.

In placing this portrait beside Johns, we are struck with the reality that an unmitigated deity is washing the feet of humanity. If he was merely a man then this would be a truly humble act of a good man less fortunate than others -but nothing more. But this is the humble service of God to man.

He is exemplifying what he has instructed them to do, as he will say in verse 16 “a servant is not greater than his master…” Herein is the lesson.

He wraps a servant’s towel around his waist.

He fills a Basin with water-the brushstroke of daily cleansing.

He now washes his disciples’ dirty feet which is a brushstroke of our continual need of an intercessor.

Humility In Salvation

What a splash on this beautiful canvas as Peter responds to this act of service (vs.6) “Lord do you wash my feet?” Our Lord implores Peter to see beyond a superficial assessment of Jesus's actions. He’s saying; Peter you not getting the point- If you reject this then you have no part in what I have come to bring. Peters’ extreme response: “Then do it all.” The point is still lost on Peter.

The foot washing is an illustration (vs10) of what Jesus is doing for us, cleansing and justification. Peter was already made clean (confession-you are the Christ) what he and the others need is the cleansing power of Christ to continue. The work of Salvation also continues the work through sanctification. There is a need to be cleaned daily. You are sanctified through the same union for which you were justified.

When we see the power of this salvation in our lives, we see that his cross-work is the work that begins a life journey of being conformed to Christ. It is the process of renewing our mind (Rom 12) and when our thinking is right our desires will conform to our Savior. As of yet they still have not fully understood but afterword you will fully understand (7).

I wonder if when you partake of the table you are aware of the power of this event in your life? I wonder if you consider the demonstration by the Divine, in all humility, is a templet for our response to each other and to the world. I wonder if we have missed the lesson here that the incarnate Son of God even washed the feet of judas-do we discriminate as to who we will serve and how we will serve them or do we look at our neighbor-those he places in our path-and say let me serve you for the glory of Christ and His kingdom.

Humility in Exaltation.

John continues to develop this painting of the upper room by drawing further images of Jesus' actions, reminding us, that in the humiliation of the cross he will put on new life for us all. The brush strokes form the image of Jesus putting on his outer garment again and takes his seat again.

What are you to see, what do you understand, he asks his disciples? He put on the outer garments (lambano: put on) echoing his earlier reference to his resurrection. John 10:17-18, “I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down, and I have authority to take it up.”

The painting is vivid and disturbing but ultimately clearly revealing the master painter’s purpose.

He is laying down his life voluntarily and will take it up sovereignly, returning to the father and taking his rightful place of honor.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 The description of the suffering servant and Jesus is illustrating this perfectly. The painter looks back to another who has gone before him, to a master painter who has so magnificently captured the theme of our current painting. These are the strokes of resurrection power.

Jesus gets up, kneels, he washes their feet, but then resumes his place. His disciples will hear him speaking about his future glorification (vs.31-32). Exalted because of his suffering. Because of his humiliation and death, God will highly exalt him-Phil2:9-11. All authority is His and all nations will hear Him. He will be crowned Lord of all (Matt. 28:18-20; 1Cor.15:20-28).

What are his disciples to understand? What are we to understand? 13:12. Well, for one thing, we are to see grace operative throughout this entire event. We should have a clear understanding that it is because of God’s love that grace is operating through redemption. We should see that the way of honor, exaltation, and redemption is through the sacrifice-namely sacrifice of the sinless Son of God voluntarily willing to become sin for us and shedding his blood on our behalf that those that believe in him might have eternal life, kneeling before God in praise and thanksgiving.

Further, the significance for me and you is that this redemptive act of sacrifice should transform every aspect of your life. It should transform us in service to others. Jesus is clear that his disciples should do something redemptive which they had not done before they sat down to eat-that is- serve not to seek who will be first. We will bow to each other, not in protest, nor in solidarity of social reform, but in humility and service to each other as we serve Christ.

The transformed Christian life does not lie in our affections, emotions, instincts, or will; Christ gradually transforms those, but it is through understanding and embracing the Gospel that we are transformed into servants.

So, when you become angry, hurt, or bothered by the actions of another-serve them in truth and love. I wonder if this is the problem with the church today. People leave because they don’t know how or are unwilling to serve each other. Certainly, as we have explored only some of John’s gallery we should embrace the imperative by our Lord, that in-service there is exaltation.