"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.' "I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He." John 13:18-19.

Jesus is quoting Psalm 41:9 in this passage. The entire verse says, "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. " He's referring to Judas here. Judas has already left the feast, and the disciples don't seem to be aware of what is going on. Since Judas is the treasurer for the group, the thought is that he has gone out to buy some provisions or to give an alm to the poor as part of the passover celebration. Christ knows the reason and he's filling in the apostles on what's going on.

It must have been a terrible burden for the Lord to know what was going to happen before it took place. Must have been a lot like permanent Deja Vu. I have never thought of the movie "Groundhog Day" as a reality show before. I know a lot of people who consult psychics and consult divination tools to try to know what the future will be. But I wonder, if they really knew would they be so anxious to know? I personally believe that we live out self-fulfilling prophecy much of the time. There is one case in the Old Testament where King Saul consults a Medium (which is rather rare)... sorry, that pun was not very Well Done! OK... medium does her thing and Elijah appears. The most surprised person there was the witch! My point is this, most mediums cannot beat the statistical norms in predicting the future. Christ here points out that he is telling the apostles who He is to prove himself.

Only God knows the future implicitely. I can understand this to a point. If God is within and outside our universe, then time is only an object. He can see the past, present and future all at once. I struggle with how free will falls in to all this at times... but that is why Christ can say that he knows who he has chosen. He knows who will choose him and he in turn chooses them. It can give you a headache after a while. But the whole point of this is so that He can prove that he is the son of God. He's going to prove it again in the next few days... but that's a discussion for another time.

Father, you have shown us over and over again that you are who you say you are. Let me simply accept it. Let me accept that you know more about me than anyone could possibly know. That you even know the number of hairs on my head. You are truly a great and awesome god. Now, about that hurricane that's bearing down on us...!

- posted by Steve R. @ 11:17 PM

 
"I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them." John 13:16,17.

When I was working in Washington, D.C., I would often have an opportunity pass by Embassy Row. This is a section of the capitol where many foreign countries have chosen to locate their embassies. The ambassadors and diplomats of those embassies are granted a number of special priviledges, the most important of which is diplomatic immunity. They are basically exempt from our laws: it is possible to asked to leave our country, but generally, they can and will do anything they want. Diplomatic staff members don't have a great reputation in Washington for that reason. As a result of their behavior, the citizens of Washington have an impression of what it must be like to live in those countries. Why? Because the diplomat represents the Head of State for their country.

Christ in this verse is telling me that I have been appointed an Ambassador for the Kingdom of Heaven. People will be looking at how I act and will be making judgments about the Kingdom accordingly. At the same time, while I represent my King, I will not have the authority to set new policy. I have full authority to enact presently established policy, but I cannot overstep my boundaries. My mission is clear, I am to act as Christ would act. If I do, I will be rewarded accordingly.

How awesome is that?

Father, I'm thankful today that you have put so much trust in me. I have an important job to do. I am the Ambassador for the Kingdom of Christ. I have temporary offices here on earth, but you have a magnificent office prepared for me in the Kingdom of Heaven. Give me the courage to carry out my mission today. Don't let me embarrass you. Help me to spread the great news of the kingdom.

- posted by Steve R. @ 8:19 AM

 
"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. " John 13:13-15.

The Lord has just asked the question, "Do you understand what I have done for you?" Now he gives me the answer. He has been the Teacher, Mentor and Leader for the past three years. Jesus is leading by example: He has washed the feet of his disciples, now they should wash one another's feet.

There was a movie out a few years ago called Pay It Forward where a middle school boy was given a challenge by a teacher to do something to change the world. The boy creates a concept called "Paying It Forward" where he would help someone. The person instead of paying back the person who helped them would instead, do something similar for someone else. As the movie goes, he does change the world by setting an example of how we should treat our fellow man. This is old news! The concept was presented by Christ 2000 years ago.

The challenge for me is to find ways to be a servant. I get so wrapped up in my day to day routine that I don't bother. On the news here in Jacksonville, there is a storm brewing in the Atlantic. It's already a category 3 Hurricane, and there is a probability that it will grow stronger before and if it hits Florida. The authorities are already talking about mass evacuations. Marcia and I were talking yesterday about what we would do if we were forced to evacuate. We've decided that rather take the easier route and go stay with family in Florida or Georgia, we would instead volunteer at one of the shelters for the Red Cross or the Salvation Army. In Ocala, Florida at the Central Christian Church, there is a group of men who have a ministry of repairing and maintaining cars for the single women and widows in the church. I have a friend, Denny who attends the church where my brother ministers who has the greatest servant's heart of anyone I know. There is not any task too big, there is not a time that is too inconvenient that he is not willing to help his brother in Christ. I need to be more like Denny: I need to be more like Christ.

Father, in these quiet early morning hours, while reading your word, it makes a lot of sense. But will it make sense when I'm out in the world today? Will I find opportunities to serve? Will I be willing to do the menial tasks that you present to me as ways to serve? Open my eyes to the needs of those around me. Humble me that I would be willing to do what is required.

- posted by Steve R. @ 5:42 AM