2002-01-01
Good Morning Dear Ones,
Every day of our lives it becomes more and more important that as many people as possible hear the Gospel, accept it, repent, and come to faith in Christ. I make this rather bold statement, because of the reality of the increase of evil in the world, as we get closer and closer to the end times. That is one reason why it is so appropriate for me to be discussing our need to participate in the Covenant of Grace by becoming one with Christ’s divine nature. Let me give you an example of why I feel so strongly about this. Today in 2001, the Taliban regime in Afganistan is showing us another horrible demonstration of the evil of which mankind is capable. This is the same fundamentalist Muslim regime that passed laws stripping women, including well-educated professionals with Ph.D’s, of their civil rights. For example, they can no longer drive cars, hold jobs, or leave their homes. They are required to paint their windows with opaque paint, so they can’t be seen from outside. These Afgani women are required to wear “burquas,” heavy garments that cover their whole bodies except for a grill-like opening for their faces. On June 6, 2001, the Talibans ordered a “fatwa,” a law requiring all non-Muslims to wear some kind of distinctive garment much like the yellow star of David the Nazis required Jews to wear just prior to and during WW II in Germany and the rest of Europe. This was the forerunner to them being led off to the concentration camps with their gas chambers. That day, I sent out a prayer request to our congregation’s prayer chain including DN 4: 17, which tells us that “the Supreme God has the power to over human kingdoms [governments] and can give them to anyone He chooses, even the least important of men.” My prayer request was that God should withdraw authority to rule Afganistan from the Talibans and stop their persecution. I hope you will pray for that too.
Yesterday, we looked at citations that revealed Jesus Christ demonstrating and teaching on kindness and compassion. Having these traits and acting on them are two ways to become with Christ’s divine nature. Today, we look at another wonderful example He sets for us. JN 13: 1-20 (which I hope you will review) tells one of the most moving and important stories of the Bible, one that is a powerful lesson on humility-another trait that Christ demonstrated for us. At this point in time, Christ, who dearly loved His followers, knew that the hour had come for Him to leave the earth and go to the Father. He also knew that the adversary had already put the idea to betray Him in Judas Iscariot’s head (1-2). The next verse carries with it crucial information on Christ’s divine nature. JN 13: 3, “Jesus knew that the Father had given Him complete power; He knew that He had come from God and was going to God.” Not only does it reveal Christ’s divine nature, but it also tells us that because He had complete power, He could have chosen not to obey God’s plan and go to the cross. Of course, we know that He didn’t disobey God, but it helps us to know that He had the power to choose to disobey and consciously chose not to do so. This important piece of information is also revealed in LK 22: 42 in the Garden of Gethsemane. “’Father,’ He said, ‘if You will, take this cup of suffering away from Me. Not My will, however, but Your will be done.’”
Returning to the story of Christ’s actions with His disciples the day before Passover in JN 13, we see how poorly the disciples understood at first the lesson the Savior was teaching them. Christ got up from the table, tied a towel around His waist, filled a bowl with water, and began washing the feet of His disciples (4-5). Impetuous Peter began to refuse this tending by His Lord on the basis that a King should not have to do so lowly a task for His servant. But, Christ responded that Peter would no longer be His disciple if he didn’t allow the Lord to do this. A shocked Peter characteristically got the message and then went overboard asking Jesus to wash his hands and head too! Jesus knew that Peter loved Him and demonstrated wonderful patience with Peter’s efforts to understand what he was being taught (7-12a). JN 13: 12b-17 firms down the point our Savior was trying to make. “’Do you understand what I have just done to you?’ He asked. ‘You call Me Teacher and Lord, and it is right that you do so, because that is what I am. I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you. I am telling you the truth: no slave is greater than his master, and no messenger is greater than the one who sent him. Now you will know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!’” Christ was showing that great leaders do their jobs with the heart of a servant rather than the boastful, pretension of a wealthy king. This same principle holds true in human governments, businesses, congregations, or anywhere where there are leaders and followers. Humility not only allows a leader to do a better job, but it brings him great happiness along with God’s peace. When one is humble, he becomes one with Christ’s divine nature. God is pleased by that and rewards the humble person with peace as described in PHIL 4: 7, “And God’s peace, which is far beyond human understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with Christ Jesus.”
PRAYER: O Lord, we acknowledge today both Your supreme power and the value of Your example of humility. Long ago, it was prophesied that evil will increase in the world as the end times approach. But, it was also prophesied that there will be an increase in the spread of the Gospel as well. As we observe what is going on in the world today, we can see that these prophesies are in the process of coming true. That should not surprise us, but it should certainly urge us on to putting our spiritual houses in order and getting on with Your work, the work in which You have so graciously invited us to participate. Part of doing that is our willingness to be an active partner with You in the Covenant of Grace by becoming one with Christ’s divine nature. You have shown us that He showed kindness, compassion, and humility along with other traits through the stories You gave us in the Bible. We accept Your urging of us to mirror these traits and the others to be discussed that He demonstrated. You have given us these lessons to outfit us to join You in Your work. As the end times approach, the need for us to know You better and work as Your partners to accomplish Your agenda even becomes more urgent. Our Lord and Savior showed us what being a Servant is all about. We thank You for His lessons and the sacrifice of His physical life on the cross for us. In humility, we approach You with utmost worship, adoration, loyalty, glory, honor, trust, obedience, praise, and thanks for being the Presence You are in our lives. In Christ’s name, amen.
We cannot give the important lessons about Christ’s divine nature given us by His example short shrift. That is why I’m led to go on with more of these demonstrations by Him tomorrow. The Lord’s love for each of us is all around us. There are so many demonstrations of that which we can see if we take the time to examine our own interactions with Him. What fuels the profound love that I have for the Lord is my underlying belief in the truth that He has equipped us to be victorious in spiritual warfare if will endure in our faith, watch Him at work in our lives and those of others, and come to know the many ways He shows us His love. He wants us both to be His friends and to work for Him as His partners. What a privilege to have a Father Who is always loving and always righteous to be the Lord of our lives! Peter and I send you our love too.
Grace Be With You Always,
Lynn