Proud Hearts and Dirty Feet

That phrase was used in our devotional after Bible class tonight.  Mickey did a great job with his lesson on being a servant. 

Because Jesus is our perfect example, Mickey used John 13 where Jesus washed the apostles’ feet as the basis for his lesson.  As most of us know from when Jesus dined at the home of Simon the Pharisee, it is the owner of the house or an actual servant who was supposed to wash the feet of the dinner guests (Luke 7:44-46).

However, the owner was not present at what we call the “Last Supper,” and there seemed to be no servant there.  None of the apostles offered to get up and wash the feet of others.  That is when Mickey said, “The room was full of proud hearts and dirty feet.”

Well, except for Jesus, who humbly washed the feet of each apostle, including the one who would betray Him.  He was indeed the greatest servant of all.  But none of the others offered to do what was necessary. 

Jesus told them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? ¹³ You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. ¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. ¹⁵ For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you” (Luke 13:12b-15).

The phrase “proud hearts and dirty feet” had me thinking.  Both of these are seen easily, aren’t they?  A proud heart is recognized through the person’s actions.  And dirty feet leave dirty footprints behind.  If the proud hearts refuse to wash dirty feet, then no one’s feet will get clean!  

There are an awful lot of proud hearts in this world aren’t there?  The temptation to be prideful is easy to fall into and hard to resist.  We may think we are more intelligent than another person, or better looking, or more successful. 

We must be very careful.  In Romans 12:16, Paul wrote “Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.  Never be wise in your own sight.”

One way to defeat haughtiness is to serve one another.  Jesus demonstrated that for us in John 13.  It is an important lesson.  Serving one another may not always mean washing feet – it may be washing dishes – or cleaning a bathroom – or any number of things. 

If we truly love one another, we will not mind serving (or helping) to take care of something for them.  Serving is a big part of what love is.  Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34).

Christ above all things – Robin

Bold and Courageous

What does being bold and courageous look like?  It does not mean we pick fights 0r make harsh comments.  Quite the contrary.  It means we are bold and courageous enough to do the right thing – to be kind to everyone – to be gracious even when someone has wronged us. 

There may come a time when we must stand up for what’s right. The apostles found themselves in this position.  In Acts 5 they were arrested for teaching about Jesus.  The Jewish council wanted to kill them, but Gamaliel talked the council out of it. 

The apostles were beaten and released.   Acts 5:41 tells us “Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.”

Remember when Christ overthrew the tables of the moneychangers?  It was during Passover.  In the temple He saw those who were selling the animals used in sacrifice -oxen, sheep, and pigeons.  The money changers were there too. 

Jesus made a whip of cords and “He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen.  And He poured out the coins of the moneychangers and overturned their tables. And He told those who sold the pigeons, ‘Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade” (John 2:15-16).

That was certainly bold, wasn’t it?  Jesus was fully confident when He spoke out against those who took advantage of the people – plus they were selling right there in the temple!  This was wrong and Jesus needed to stop it. 

Now, I’m not talking about any of us turning over tables.  Hopefully, we will never have to do anything like that.  Still there may come a time when we must stand up for what’s right and speak out against evil. 

We can take courage and remember Jesus did when it was necessary. 

Other times Jesus was bold and courageous while being much calmer.  John 8:3-11 is a good example.   

The scribes and Pharisees wanted to test Jesus.  They caught a woman in the very act of adultery and brought her to Jesus.  They said under Moses’ law she should be stoned.  They asked Jesus what He had to say about it. 

Jesus did not yell out against their cold hearts or their unjust motives.  No.  He bent down on the ground and silently started writing in the dirt.  They kept asking for an answer. 

“He stood up and said to them, ‘Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.’  ⁸ And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground “(John 8:7-8).

The men didn’t speak again.  Instead, they all went away one by one beginning with the oldest.  Jesus asked the woman where all the men went. “Has no one condemned you?’  She said, ‘No one, Lord.’  And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:10b-11). 

Even though He got His message across without being contentious about it this was still a bold and courageous act. 

May we always choose to follow in our Savior’s footsteps.  Let's be bold and courageous for Him.

Christ above all things - Robin