WELCOME TO PASSION WEEK - A WEEK FOR ALL MANKIND AND ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH.
You know when I was young I was under the impression that Jesus died on the cross for the sins that the world could see in my life. As I started my journey I began to realize it was for more that that, He actually died for the sins that God sees.
Have you ever stopped to realize how often Simon Peter was spot lighted by Jesus? Take a fresh look at the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet. It is called by theologians, Maundy Thursday which is the Thursday before Easter, it is believed to be the day when Jesus celebrated his final Passover with His disciples. Most notably, that Passover meal was when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in an extraordinary display of humility. He then commanded them to do the same for each other. I have spoken to people about this and many have never even heard of such a thing.
You know when I was young I was under the impression that Jesus died on the cross for the sins that the world could see in my life. As I started my journey I began to realize it was for more that that, He actually died for the sins that God sees.
Have you ever stopped to realize how often Simon Peter was spot lighted by Jesus? Take a fresh look at the story of Jesus washing his disciples feet. It is called by theologians, Maundy Thursday which is the Thursday before Easter, it is believed to be the day when Jesus celebrated his final Passover with His disciples. Most notably, that Passover meal was when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples in an extraordinary display of humility. He then commanded them to do the same for each other. I have spoken to people about this and many have never even heard of such a thing.
John 13:2-10
2 And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; 3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; 4 He rises from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5 After that he pours water into a bowl, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which he was girded. 6 Then He comes to Simon Peter: and Peter says unto him, Lord, are you going to wash my feet? 7 Jesus answered and said unto him, what I am doing now you do not comprehend; but you will comprehend later. 8 Peter says unto him, you will never wash my feet. Jesus answers him, if I wash you not, you have no part with me. 9 Simon Peter says to him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 10 Jesus says to him, He that is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean completely: and ye are clean, BUT NOT ALL (THAT IS NOT TRUE OF EVERYONE HERE).
How searching His Words are in this passage, "BUT NOT ALL." In other words, Judas was still in the group. It reminds me of the Corinthian letter, "there is one among you," who is not one of you. In this passage Simon Peter became symbolic of something that was not right on the inside of the man; it was a heart issue.
It was not the dust of the road, which needed attention, it was the deeper defilement in the soul. Jesus was speaking to Peter, a prominent figure among them. He was a conspicuous as the BIG FISHERMAN. Could it be that others, like Peter, share some of the same issues of the heart, which had become a part of his very nature and personality? Can I remind you, that the disciples were all having the same issue - "who will be the greatest?" It was an inner defilement which exposed all of their pride. Wow! can you see it now? There is something more than the sins the world has no problem seeing. It is the sins the world cannot see, we need to ask God to deliver us from.
Can I move away from this for a moment to tell you I have seen my sins and the effect they had on the people around me, as I became a follower of Jesus. And as I show you mine, at the same time I will show you yours.
"On the Cross crucified, for me He died.
He was nailed to the Cross for me."
Blood suggest violence and this is what my sins did to my Lord and Savior.
I wish I could paint this special moment in time. Peter and Jesus at the foot washing, having a debate concerning his feet being washed. It was here that Peter objected to becoming subjected to the Lord, example of humility. What was it that broke Peter's resistance? It is not hard to find, it was a simple and direct comment, NOT ALL OF YOU ARE CLEAN,
CAN YOU SAY, "CLEAN BEFORE THE LORD I STAND AND IN ME NOT ONE BLEMISH CAN HE SEE?"
CAN YOU EVEN STAND THE THOUGHT OF A FUTURE WHERE CHRIST IS NO A PART OF IT? THOSE THAT CAN CONSIDER A FUTURE WITHOUT HIM SHOULD NEVER THINK OF THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS, I PERSONALLY HAVE SURROUNDED MYSELF WITH FRIENDS WHO HAVE COMMON INTEREST WITH ME.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN HARDER ON YOUR SELF, THAN CHRIST HAS BEEN?
I FOR ONE HAVE CRIED OUT WITH PETER, " NOT MY FEET ONLY BUT MY WHOLE BEING, NEEDS TO BE WASHED.
It is beautiful pictures of humility just imagine Jesus kneeling at Peter's feet, to wash them but there will be a day when all mankind will bow at His feet and proclaim, Jesus, Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.
Most people can tell you a few things about Jesus. They may be able to talk Easter Talk with others who know nothing more than they do. There is always a lot of dress up on Easter Sunday but there is far to more than dress up that it took to redeem mankind and blood speaks of violence.
Remember, "He took upon Himself the form of a servant and became obedient, even to the death of the Cross." To cleanse us from the power of sin and pride it took more than a towel, it took much more than this, and it took The Cross.
ON THE CROSS CRUCIFIED FOR ME HE DIED
HE WAS NAILED TO THE CROSS FOR ME
Do you remember how proud your heart was when you first got a glimpse of Calvary? Some can sing, THE VIA DOLOROSA like Sandi Patty, but they may not know the one who went to every station of the Cross. I have been there and it is a wonderful attraction, but the real issue is I am not a tourist, I am a son and as a son I invite you to join me in making Paul's bold declaration: "I am crucified with Christ." The songwriter has written, "This was the reason He gave His life, this was the reason He suffered and died, in the world that was lost He gave all He could give to show us the reason to live."
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE THE DEATH ON THE CROSS, THE RESURRECTION AND AS THE GREAT INTERCESSOR IS SET ON THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD.
Pastor Cleddie Keith
It was not the dust of the road, which needed attention, it was the deeper defilement in the soul. Jesus was speaking to Peter, a prominent figure among them. He was a conspicuous as the BIG FISHERMAN. Could it be that others, like Peter, share some of the same issues of the heart, which had become a part of his very nature and personality? Can I remind you, that the disciples were all having the same issue - "who will be the greatest?" It was an inner defilement which exposed all of their pride. Wow! can you see it now? There is something more than the sins the world has no problem seeing. It is the sins the world cannot see, we need to ask God to deliver us from.
Can I move away from this for a moment to tell you I have seen my sins and the effect they had on the people around me, as I became a follower of Jesus. And as I show you mine, at the same time I will show you yours.
"On the Cross crucified, for me He died.
He was nailed to the Cross for me."
Blood suggest violence and this is what my sins did to my Lord and Savior.
I wish I could paint this special moment in time. Peter and Jesus at the foot washing, having a debate concerning his feet being washed. It was here that Peter objected to becoming subjected to the Lord, example of humility. What was it that broke Peter's resistance? It is not hard to find, it was a simple and direct comment, NOT ALL OF YOU ARE CLEAN,
CAN YOU SAY, "CLEAN BEFORE THE LORD I STAND AND IN ME NOT ONE BLEMISH CAN HE SEE?"
CAN YOU EVEN STAND THE THOUGHT OF A FUTURE WHERE CHRIST IS NO A PART OF IT? THOSE THAT CAN CONSIDER A FUTURE WITHOUT HIM SHOULD NEVER THINK OF THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS, I PERSONALLY HAVE SURROUNDED MYSELF WITH FRIENDS WHO HAVE COMMON INTEREST WITH ME.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN HARDER ON YOUR SELF, THAN CHRIST HAS BEEN?
I FOR ONE HAVE CRIED OUT WITH PETER, " NOT MY FEET ONLY BUT MY WHOLE BEING, NEEDS TO BE WASHED.
It is beautiful pictures of humility just imagine Jesus kneeling at Peter's feet, to wash them but there will be a day when all mankind will bow at His feet and proclaim, Jesus, Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.
Most people can tell you a few things about Jesus. They may be able to talk Easter Talk with others who know nothing more than they do. There is always a lot of dress up on Easter Sunday but there is far to more than dress up that it took to redeem mankind and blood speaks of violence.
Remember, "He took upon Himself the form of a servant and became obedient, even to the death of the Cross." To cleanse us from the power of sin and pride it took more than a towel, it took much more than this, and it took The Cross.
ON THE CROSS CRUCIFIED FOR ME HE DIED
HE WAS NAILED TO THE CROSS FOR ME
Do you remember how proud your heart was when you first got a glimpse of Calvary? Some can sing, THE VIA DOLOROSA like Sandi Patty, but they may not know the one who went to every station of the Cross. I have been there and it is a wonderful attraction, but the real issue is I am not a tourist, I am a son and as a son I invite you to join me in making Paul's bold declaration: "I am crucified with Christ." The songwriter has written, "This was the reason He gave His life, this was the reason He suffered and died, in the world that was lost He gave all He could give to show us the reason to live."
HAPPY EASTER TO ALL THOSE WHO LOVE THE DEATH ON THE CROSS, THE RESURRECTION AND AS THE GREAT INTERCESSOR IS SET ON THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD.
Pastor Cleddie Keith