The Gift Poured Out April 2

Posted on Apr 2, 2019 in Devotions, Newsletter, Uncategorized |

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14-16


He (Jesus) got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

John 13:4-5

Yesterday we found a young man walking away from Jesus, rejecting Him. Today we find a friend betraying Jesus. Judas walked with Jesus on many journeys, ate and visited with Jesus, he was His friend, one of the chosen twelve. Yet, Judas allowed evil to come into his heart, and betrayed Jesus. Jesus knew that Judas was betraying him.
 
How did Jesus respond to His friend betraying Him? Jesus, God, Creator of the universe, knelt down before Judas and washed His filthy feet. Jesus’ humble attitude before His betrayer is beautiful, and is a powerful demonstration of Who our Holy God is. He is humble, unconditionally loving, kind, and gentle. Everything Jesus did while walking on this earth had a purpose.
 

Later that evening, Jesus said, “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. John 13:12 – 17

Jesus set this bar really, really high! As followers of Christ, this is the standard Jesus has set for us. As always, Jesus established a way of living that is impossible for us to attain without the help of the Holy Spirit. It is not within our human nature to humbly kneel before people who betray us and figuratively wash their feet. Still, this is what’s expected of us.
 

The only way we live following Christ’s example of humility and unconditional love is by falling at His feet daily, asking Him to take away our pride, desires, and passions, and replace them with the Holy Spirit’s humbleness, desires, and passions. He will do this in our hearts every single day so we can walk through our day, touching people’s lives, demonstrating the humbleness and unconditional love of Jesus Christ.

Today’s Verses

Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. Matthew 26:14-16


He (Jesus) got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

 John 13:4-5

Scripture Inspired Prayer

 
Jesus, Thank You for setting the example for such an impossible way of living for me. If it were possible, I’d be doing it with my own strength and in my own way. But, You have set this bar so high I know I can’t live this way without relying on You to do it in me and through me. So, I invite You to come into my heart, replace my pride with Your humbleness, replace my harshness with Your gentleness, replace my hatred with Your unconditional love, and replace my desires and passions with the desires and passions of the Holy Spirt! Enable me to love all people with Your love so they see You in me today.