June 23, 2019
Scripture:
Hymn 338 - I love my Saviour, my precious Saviour
Prayer
Last time we were saying that it would be hard to preach the gospel without John 3:16 or the rest of the New Testament.
Acts 13:23-37
Paul preaches the gospel by talking about prophesies Jesus fulfilled. People had probably heard what had happen in Jerusalem and all about Jesus. John the Baptist was his forerunner. He was there with a message from God.
Before God had only given stuff to the Jews. He gave them the law, offerings, the tabernacle. Now when Paul is talking he says “whosoever”. Salvation is for everybody not just the Jews.
People were trying to kill Jesus, but what they didn’t know is that they were helping Him fulfill prophesies. Paul made it clear that they couldn’t find anything to condemn Jesus to death. They had to make up something.
He was buried in Joseph’s new tomb; but on the third day he rose from the grave. He couldn’t stay in there because He had no cause of death. His resurrection was no secret. Many people saw Him after it.
We have to stop here today, but next time I hope to go on with Paul’s message.
John 13:1-17
Jesus takes up amazing activity. Peter seems to be a main actor here. Sometimes Peter’s mistakes help us understand what’s happening more than if he hadn’t made them. The Lord has seen the affect the world had on His own. He got up, put aside his garments, took a towel, and washed the feet of the disciples. We know the Lord is still in action on our behalf. He is our intercessor, meeting the needs of those defiled by the pathway.
Peter saw the whole thing as beneath the Lord. But Jesus told Peter “you don’t understand now but this will be continued later”. We live in a world where activities cool our spirit. The Lord still wants to fit us for precious communication with Himself. His desire is that we go on with Him. We’ll notice notice that He didn’t say, “in Me”. He said, “with Me”. This isn’t a matter of salvation, but of going on with Him.
The Lord is carrying on for our behalf so we can go on with Him. It’s not necessarily that we did something wrong or need to repent of something, but that the world can dull our spirit. Just being in the world has a chilling affecting on our spirit.
When Peter realized that this was important he thought they should do more of it. If a little was good made a lot would be better.Jesus was using water not blood, which has to do with washing away sin. Water is moral cleansing. At the tabernacle the laborers washed themselves with water and put on garments daily before serving. Water speak of the water of the Word. It is needful to be occupied with God Word.
After washing their feet, Jesus sat down and told them to do the same for each other. For us it’s the application of the water of the Word to each other.
Paul mentioned a couple time how someone had refreshed him. We can help and give a verse to someone to lean on to get through a hard day or hard time.
We call Jesus Mater and Lord, but He is also a Servant. His greatest example was at the cross and it hasn’t stopped. It continues until we are home with Him. It’s precious to to see the sent One manifesting the One who sent Him. We learn here that there is a joy in helping other. But we do need to be careful. Jesus doesn’t burn the disciples feet. We need to bring out scriptures that help and don’t discourage.
Hymn 130 To God be the glory, great things He hath done.
Prayer