Sins Are Washed Away

Isaiah 1:18 KJV; Though our garments were blood red with sin the Lord has made them white as snow by washing them in his own blood.

Wash Your Hands!

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables.

Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 

                                                                              (Mark 7:1-9 KJV)

My hands have gotten a little wrinkled with all the washing that's been going on the past year and a half. Part of that probably has something to do with age. The Pharisees really came down hard on the disciples for not keeping the law by not washing their hands before they ate. So, what did Jesus say? He rebuked them for being so oriented toward keeping the traditions of the elders. You see those Pharisees, just as many today, would attack anyone who did not obey the laws of God as they chose to interpret it. They did not comprehend that the letter of the law can too easily destroy people. They did not comprehend that the Spirit of the law is love. Jesus said this about the greatest commandments; the greatest laws:

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

                                                                                         (Matt 22:37-40)

Yes, it is definitely a good thing to observe health codes. It can even be a loving thing. But, it is not a loving thing to judge those for whatever reason neglect or forget to. Judging others whether they follow man-made traditions regarding washing their hands or not (or wear a mask or not) hardly seems the loving thing to do. In fact, it can be a most unloving thing to do especially when it involves cursing at the person we  are busy judging.

The letter of the law and the man-made traditions that we impose can destroy people, even societies as it brings division. The Spirit of the law unites because the Spirit of the law is love.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

An Example Of Service

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

After that he poureth water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me.

Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.

Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.

For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean.

So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?

Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

                                                                            (John 13: 4-15 KJV)

The followers of Jesus sometimes referred to him as "teacher."  He taught not only with words but by example. 

Before they ate on the night that the disciples had their last passover meal with Jesus he knelt down and washed their feet. Peter thought that was a bit over the top. He felt that kneeling before them and taking hold of their dirty feet was beneath Jesus. Jesus disagreed. 

Jesus, the Son of God, was an example of service for the sake of others. He came to earth to serve humankind. Ultimately he served us by dying on the cross for our sake; for our sins. He saved our lives by giving his own for us.

He is the ultimate example of leading by serving others. Rulers are called to lead by serving others not themselves; not their own egos. 

      

"But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."

                                                                             (Mark 10:42-45)

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Count The Cost This New Year

And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

                                                 (Luke 14:27-28 KJV)

It is a tradition as each new year arrives to look back a bit and evaluate what was good and also what may have been better in our lives. Then we sit down and make a few plans for the upcoming year(s). As we plan for any future changes in our lives it is only wise to count the cost of those changes we desire. Are they feasible? Can we afford them financially, physically, emotionally, spiritually? 

This year we sold one home and bought yet another. It required a lot of praying for direction as the home we purchased had been foreclosed on by HUD. The financial cost was doable. However, this morning my body is aching pretty good. As with many foreclosed homes there is a lot of damage and a lot of work to be done. After a couples of weeks we finally got hot water into the house yesterday so my granddaughter Ashley and I started shampooing carpets and washing walls last night. My shoulders did not care at all for all that reaching up to get the cobwebs out of the corners! After a couple more days of cleaning, I do believe my body will adjust. 

As Ashley and I were digging a trench for wiring last week, she wanted to know why anyone would buy a home if you had to dig trenches before you could live in it. I am so accustomed to having to repair homes that we've purchased that I never considered that digging trenches would be out of the norm! But, her question made me think about whether young people today have a grasp of what it means to be willing to pay the whole price for anything. When they say they are going to get something that they want have they truly counted the cost? There is indeed a cost for the decisions we make because there are consequences, either good or bad, for both what we choose to do or choose not to do. 

As young people plan for their futures after High School are they figuring in their ability to accomplish what they are planning? Many school counselors have pushed for everyone to go to college and to set as many youth on a college bound track for quite a few years now. However, not all students have the gifts needed or even the desire to go for a four or more year degree. Many are more suited to a particular trade which can be accomplished through trade or technical schools.

Other youth might plan to join the Armed Services. I have reminded many young people that they need to count those costs. Not everyone is equipped to served in the military. Military service requires not just physical endurance; but, mental and emotional well being as well. 

Prayer (communication with God) and planning go hand in hand. With His help we can much better grasp what our gifts are and if we can pay the price of whatever it is that we are about to commit to.

Prayer (communication with God) will also help us to know how to take up our cross and follow Jesus. The gift of life and salvation are free gifts from God. But, when you decide to follow Jesus there is a cost. The path; the way of Christ, you follow will not be understood by everyone. Some will even despise you for taking up your cross and following the path that Jesus leads you on. It will not be easy. But, Christ is with you as you journey on the path that he has prepared for you. 

May the peace of the Lord be with you as you journey with him through this and future new years.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Water And The Word In Abundance, Please!

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Rom 6:3-5 NIV)

Each morning as the sun begins to rise, I go and sit on the dock in my backyard and watch the fish jump and the alligators swimming around in the creek. I thoroughly enjoy being near the water. In years past, I enjoyed diving. But, my dive buddy (my husband) gave it up when we lived in Michigan because he did not like the cold waters. I gave it up with him. I miss it at times. Now, I mostly kayak, when I have the time, so that I can feel the flow of the water beneath me. Paddling or floating along in the quiet of the early morning gives me the opportunity to talk to and listen to God without interruption. The water is a reminder of the life I (we) have been given through the washing of water and the Word.

By water and the Word we were baptized into the Body of Christ. Human beings, all animals and plants need water to survive. But, more importantly we need the Word to truly live life and to receive the promise of eternal life in God's presence. I suffer greatly when either of these two things; the water or the Word, are absent in abundance in my life. Yes... I need lots of both!

I cannot look upon a body of water without being reminded that we have been drowned in the waters of Baptism and now live through faith in the Christ who was raised from the dead for us and for our salvation.

I am (and hopefully you are) a child of God, drowned in the waters of baptism and raised by the mighty Word of God. 

God's Peace - Pr. J