Terry and I walked into the room of the nursing home where
one of our brothers in Christ, Mike Russo was sitting with another
Christian, both from our Challengers Sunday School Class. Brother Russo looked up at us with a big grin
and said, “You guys are so good to me!” He became a little weepy as he
pronounced his thankfulness to us and others who had stepped in to help the
family during their desperate time of need. His wife is on oxygen 24/7 and has
other health issues. The list of needs was many, but the point I want to make
is this: Brother Mike rejoices in the
Lord continually.
I asked myself a question as our pump stopped today,
internet went out and stayed out, and my phone died for a short while: Are you
rejoicing, Sharon? Do you trust God? My problems seemed minute compared to
Brother Russo’s dilemmas. What kind of character does God require when
everything seems to go wrong all at once?
Joh 13:1 ¶ Now before the feast of the passover, when
Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto
the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto
the end.
Joh 13:2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart
of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him;
Joh 13:3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his
hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
Joh 13:4 He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a
towel, and girded himself.
Joh 13:5 After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the
disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded
What character Jesus
exemplified during this time right before His death!! People, I can’t even
imagine let alone understand this kind of love Christ had for these men who
surrounded Him at the table. Do you get it? Are you able to really see our Lord’s
character and great love as He washed their feet? He knew His hour was very
close where He would feel human pain from the crucifixion. He loved them to the
end! Why is it important to “get to know Him?” ……. Because we DON’T HAVE THAT
KIND OF LOVE without Him! You and I can’t do it! We will fail over and over and
over except that we think of Jesus’ love for us TO THE END.
Grandpa and Grandma Baxley quietly lead me to a circle of
believers and by example showed me how to wash another believer’s feet. In our
Church of the Brethren, we practiced the washing of feet but not everyone
joined. I didn’t understand but I do today. No one spoke, no one laughed as the
pan was passed from one to another. That particular night must have been the
night of celebration around Easter. I am not sure. I was very young but I wanted
to be there and join the celebration of remembering this time of year. That was
the last time I ever washed another believer’s feet but it wasn’t the last time
I celebrated such an event. Every time I read this passage from John 13, I stop
and celebrate!
Thank you, Jesus, for showing such love and compassion for
me in your time of need. Thank you for not complaining about what you had to go
through……what you CHOSE to go through! Oh, friend, if we will but praise Him
instead of complain to Him and to others every time we stump our toe!
“He is so good to us!” Isn’t it time we just get out there
and do for others and stop our complaining?
Let’s be happy when the pump works and when it DOESN’T work.
Let’s rejoice when we are well as much as we pray to be well. As suffering
increases so should our praises. Character, just pure sweet, Godly character
with whom we have union in Christ can be ours as we practice Jesus' example. He leads us to the circle of believers,
picks up our feet, washes them, and pats them dry as His own tears drop on our
feet. The next day He did more than just wash their feet; He died for them and He died for me. What a Savior! What a Savior!
Until next time, Lord willing…
Sharon
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