Jesus has just shocked his disciples with the news that one of them will betray him. Understandably, they want to know which of them could do such a thing. That leads a deeply dark moment in this story. Look at verses 26-30, “Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I will give this pieceContinue reading “When all seems lost, we can still choose hope – John 13:17-38, Part 3”
Tag Archives: john 13
Why we need to see ourselves as links in a missional chain – John 13:18-38, Part 2
Leadership is lonely, or so some say. As a pastor since 2002, I have felt that loneliness from time to time. Frankly, some loneliness is self-imposed. “I can do it better myself,” we think. Or we don’t want to put in the work to involve others. Maybe we struggle to release our grip on aContinue reading “Why we need to see ourselves as links in a missional chain – John 13:18-38, Part 2”
Why followers of Jesus go lower and lower to serve – John 13:1-17, Part 5
All week long, we’ve been studying the famous story in which Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. Why did he do it? Jesus explains why in John 13, verses 12-17. “When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?”Continue reading “Why followers of Jesus go lower and lower to serve – John 13:1-17, Part 5”
We need Jesus to wash us? – John 13:1-17, Part 4
When Jesus says that unless he washes Peter’s feet, Peter has no part with him, that gets Peter’s attention. Peter responds a characteristically big way, as we read in John 13, verse 9, “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” A classic overreaction from Peter. Continue reading “We need Jesus to wash us? – John 13:1-17, Part 4”
Why Christians should not be like John Wayne – John 13:1-17, Part 3
Peter knows his culture. A rabbi does not do servant’s work. That’s why Jesus’ disciple Peter responds to Jesus as he does in John 13, verse 6, “Jesus came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’” Anyone else there should be washing Jesus’ feet. That was theContinue reading “Why Christians should not be like John Wayne – John 13:1-17, Part 3”
How to lead with love – John 13:1-17, Part 2
In the previous post, we learned that Jesus leads with love. Now we learn how he did so. Look at John 13, verses 2-5. “The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under hisContinue reading “How to lead with love – John 13:1-17, Part 2”
Are you struggling to complete difficult things? – John 13:1-17, Preview
One way God has been at work in my life over the last 5-10 years is in the area of speaking the truth in love. I would much rather focus on the love part, which is good, except for the times when people need to hear truth about themselves and their situation. I struggle withContinue reading “Are you struggling to complete difficult things? – John 13:1-17, Preview”
Learning how to say “Yes” and “No” to serving in the church
How should we view serving in the church? (For that matter, how should we view serving at work, serving at home, serving our neighbors?). Each of us should ask: am I serving like God wants me to? Are you saying “Yes” enough? Are you saying “No” enough? How should we respond to all the opportunitiesContinue reading “Learning how to say “Yes” and “No” to serving in the church”
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