response

Good morning!

Just have a little bit to share today, but I'm excited!

The past few weeks I have been reading through the Gospel of John and this morning I read through John 13. In this chapter Jesus and the disciples get ready for the Passover meal - also know as the Last Supper. John depicts this night very clearly and expands it to many chapters of Jesus' final teachings and exhortations. It is a very profound and great reading. There is so much to learn!

As I stated earlier, I read through John 13 this morning, and the famous footwashing ceremony occurs here. There is such beauty in reading and recreating the scene in my mind. I love thinking about how the Savior gets on His knees to bless His disciples. It completely challenges me and how I respond to people.

As I read the verses I was struck by what Jesus did. Jesus knew how this would all go down, and He also knew how He was going to be betrayed. He knew what Judas was going to do the whole time. He knew that the Cross was coming soon and He willingly stepped forward to take on my sins. I look at this moment when Jesus cleanses His followers feet and I think of the moment He washed Judas' feet. I look inward and think of how I would wash his feet. Would I scrub hard with much force? Would I gracefully touch them with a veneer of cynicism?

I don't know how I would respond. But I don't think I would respond the way Jesus did. He touched the feet lovingly. He washed them just as He would wash anyone else and He cared for Judas. Judas was one of His closest friends - He had deep care for who this man was, and yet, He knew the failings of this man. Sometimes, I think we think Jesus never trusted Judas and that He looked down upon this one that Satan chose to use for his evil plan. I was shown this morning that this was not the case. Judas was a friend of Jesus. And he betrayed Him.

I don't think we're much different sometimes.

I think we are friends with Christ, and we still betray Him. I say this because I do it. I don't think I'm the only one.

Where are you at? Do you respond to those you know could betray you with the same love Jesus did to Judas? Do you respond to your enemies with that kind of care?

Honest confession reveals the place our heart is at and how God can transform us. I want Him to transform me. I am not always responding to His call of love, grace, and forgiveness the way I should. I fail. And I want God to change this. My human condition is broken and ONLY repaired by the grace of God.

And His grace is calling to me. It is desiring me. God wants me. He is for me. He wants me to love Him and His children the same way and sacrificially. I love that thought of being desired by the Most Holy God. And I want to respond His way.

God, you call me out of my defeat, out of my ugliness, out of my despair. You call me and you love me. Lord, I don't respond as I should to my friends, my enemies, or to you. I want a new way of thinking and I want to respond the way you desire. God make me new once again. Forgive me as I confess and repent, as I turn to you, to walk as the man you call me to be. I want your integrity, to walk in your boldness, and to surround my heart only in your goodness. You are ever faithful and you love me. You are for me and I praise your Holy Name. I love you Jesus. Amen.