Friday, October 7, 2011

2011 October 7 - Morning Manna

"Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, 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" (John 13:1-9)

Today's Morsel: During my years in the Army, there were times that we would have a soldier that wouldn't take a shower.  And so we would have a "GI Party" to give him a shower to get him clean.  We wanted him to know that if he was going to be a part of the team, then he would have to maintain his personal hygiene.  Usually, one time was all it took.
 
When Jesus began to wash His disciples' feet, He  came to Simon Peter and Peter said to 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 said unto him, "Thou shalt never wash my feet."  Jesus answered him, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me."  Peter couldn't believe that his Master would wash their feet, as this task was for servants and slaves.  But Jesus wanted them to know that He came to serve, and if they were going to be His disciples, they needed to learn that they were not above their Master nor anyone else.  When Peter rebuked Him, Jesus told him, "If I don't wash you, you have no part with me." To which Peter replied, "Then not only my feet, but also my hands and head."  Some people get baptized with just a few sprinkles of water upon their heads.  That's not baptism.  Baptism is to immerse all of you in the water.  The Greek word for baptize is baptizō, which is to wash.  John the Baptist was baptizing beyond AEnon near Salim because there was much water there ( John 3:22-23). Philip and the Eunuch went down into the water (Acts 8:35-39). Peter would later write,  "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 3:21).  None of us have any part with Jesus if He doesn't wash us.  The New Birth requires both water and Spirit (John 3:3-5).  As Paul said,  "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5).  He told the church at Rome, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9).  " Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool "(Isaiah 1:16-18).  Has Jesus washed you?

Sing: Have you been to Jesus for your cleansing power? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you washed in the blood, in the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb? Are your garments spotless? Are they white as snow? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

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