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There is enough in this passage to fill your whole ministry!
First we can point out that Jesus celebrated established traditions. He changed forever what they symbolized, but he used them for his message, which is found in the entire Bible. The most important message he gave is the message of his love. God is love and without that love we have no message for the world.
The next item in the passage tells of the betrayal of that love by one of his own, Judas. Even Jesus' own inner circle was not immune to Satan's temptation. Judas doubted that Jesus was really who he said he was, or Jesus would be getting rid of the Roman occupiers to save his people. He missed the message!
Jesus knew the consequences of that betrayal, but he obeyed his Father in heaven. I wonder if I would have been faithful if I knew what was in store for me. I saw converts in Nepal thrown in prison or killed for their faith. We like to think we would have been strong enough to be faithful. Would we? It made me humble!
At one meeting in Nepal, the first Christian in Nepal was at a meeting where the leader suggested that we have a foot washing. All my pupils wanted to wash the feet of old pastor Tir. Instead he shocked everyone by washing all of their feet. What an example! Pastor Tir had been jailed for his faith several times and suffered brutal treatment but forgave all! I saw a "foot washing" service in a church years ago where the pastor dusted off the shod feet of his members with a dry rag -- symbolism? Acceptable to God? Who knows?
Again, none of Jesus' disciples understood what he meant by saying he would be with them only a bit longer! How many times I have not understood a passage of scripture until later when something happened to me that fulfilled it.
Again that word "love" comes up. That is the most important message -- and it is not a message that only comes through words. Others must see love acted out in the lives of Christians. That is what wins people in every country on earth, and it will win your next-door neighbor!
First we can point out that Jesus celebrated established traditions. He changed forever what they symbolized, but he used them for his message, which is found in the entire Bible. The most important message he gave is the message of his love. God is love and without that love we have no message for the world.
The next item in the passage tells of the betrayal of that love by one of his own, Judas. Even Jesus' own inner circle was not immune to Satan's temptation. Judas doubted that Jesus was really who he said he was, or Jesus would be getting rid of the Roman occupiers to save his people. He missed the message!
Jesus knew the consequences of that betrayal, but he obeyed his Father in heaven. I wonder if I would have been faithful if I knew what was in store for me. I saw converts in Nepal thrown in prison or killed for their faith. We like to think we would have been strong enough to be faithful. Would we? It made me humble!
At one meeting in Nepal, the first Christian in Nepal was at a meeting where the leader suggested that we have a foot washing. All my pupils wanted to wash the feet of old pastor Tir. Instead he shocked everyone by washing all of their feet. What an example! Pastor Tir had been jailed for his faith several times and suffered brutal treatment but forgave all! I saw a "foot washing" service in a church years ago where the pastor dusted off the shod feet of his members with a dry rag -- symbolism? Acceptable to God? Who knows?
Again, none of Jesus' disciples understood what he meant by saying he would be with them only a bit longer! How many times I have not understood a passage of scripture until later when something happened to me that fulfilled it.
Again that word "love" comes up. That is the most important message -- and it is not a message that only comes through words. Others must see love acted out in the lives of Christians. That is what wins people in every country on earth, and it will win your next-door neighbor!
