Thursday, April 5, 2007 (*Maundy Thursday*)
/We gather tonight as His Church to remember Him /
/(at Diablo View Middle School, Clayton) /
*Let’s pray:* /Thank you Father for loving me today. Amen./
*Scripture for today*: John 13:3-5
*What do you see? *Why does John tell us about Jesus' internal thoughts
in verse 3? How would you feel if Jesus began to wash your feet?
It takes great confidence to be humble. That sounds contradictory, but
it isn't. In this passage verse 3 gives the foundational reasons why
Jesus was able to humbly serve His disciples by washing their feet.
Sometimes we are afraid of humbly serving others because we fear we may
lose status in relation to others if we do. If we lose status, then we
may lose a measure of acceptance, thereby losing a measure of power and
control in those relationships. But verse 3 tells us Jesus had enough
confidence to humbly serve because He knew His security was in His
relationship with His heavenly Father. Jesus knew He had power from the
Father even if others betrayed Him (see verse 2). He knew His real home
was in relation to the Father - "He had come from God and was returning
to God". The Father's love gave Jesus the confidence to know He would
lose nothing by humbly serving His friends, but would instead build
God's Kingdom.
When you and I balk at humbly serving others it is a sign of our lack of
confidence, our insecurity, which is a sign that we have not fully
received the foundational love of our Heavenly Father and His son,
Jesus. He knew His real home was in relation to the Father - "He had
come from God and was returning to God. How can we know God really loves
us? The cross says it all. When we truly gaze on the cross we will be so
humbled by God's great love that we end up confident enough to humbly serve.
/God please help us receive enough of your love today to be able to
confidently and humbly serve others in your name. Amen./
Pastor Dean Honnette, Hope Center Covenant Church
/(Join in 40 hours of prayer, starting tonight.)/