(A four minute read)
Holy Week looks a little different this year in the midst of Coronavirus Craziness (but we can still make it ‘holy’).
It’s traditional on this day, Maundy Thursday, to read the story in John’s Gospel about Jesus washing His disciples’ feet. Before He does this, we’re told that Jesus knew ‘that the Father had given all things into His hands’ and that ‘He came from God and was going to God.’ (John 13:3)
In other words, the Bible says, Jesus was (and is) the boss of me. Of you. Of everyone. Of everything. So, how did He respond to being made boss? Did He become bossy?
No, he humbled Himself as a servant and washed the filth off His own servants’ feet.
He washed them and He washes us. You and me. And, whenever we choose, we can step into that eternal world where He meets us – in whatever pile of dirt we sit in – to help us out of it. And then, He cleans us up.
But the good news doesn’t stop there.
Jesus also ended a time when rules and regulations were needed to get us close to God. Israel learned the hard way that its law only bred more lawlessness. They failed, but through Jesus, you and I can succeed.
Jesus teaches us that its not what we do that counts. We can’t do anything to earn the Father’s love. God already loves in spite of who we are. That’s what’s important – who we are, and who we’re willing to become.
Self-actualization is a myth and a fraud.
If you want personal growth, true personal growth, you have to turn to the Lord. Our best human tools may change us. But only God can transform us.
We are born more than halfway there.
The Bible says we’re born already knowing God. We know him deep inside, whether we’re aware of it or not. God’s in there, waiting expectantly for you and me to open the doors to our hearts and let Him in.
I challenge you, right now, to stop reading, close your eyes and make a demand of God (even if you don’t believe in Him yet): ‘God – Please reveal yourself to me. I’m ready!’ I know He will eventually answer if you keep listening.
Even if you don’t have the moxie to do that right this moment, I promise you (because I know from my own personal experience) that He stands ready to answer that demand whenever you decide to make it.
As God says often, ‘Don’t be afraid!’
I hope you will do this. Your life will never be the same. It will be better, and richer, and you’ll know His peace – even in the face of others’ mindless fear from Coronavirus Craziness. Best of all, you’ll know His joy.
Because the joy of the Lord is our strength, (Nehemiah 8:10) free for the asking.
Listen to what the prophet Jeremiah wrote about this ‘new covenant’ more than 500 years before Christ was born:
‘“I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be my people. And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’
‘“For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know Me already.” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness and I will never again remember their sins.”’ (Jeremiah 31:33-34)
What an offer.
Best of all, it’s not a Once-in-a-Lifetime offer. It’s a Once-for-Eternity offer. How can we say no to that?
