8-19-2020

  Good Morning All, 

       John 13:17: “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

     This verse comes from what we call the “Upper Room” discourse.  Jesus is spending the last night with his disciples before he is betrayed by Judas.  He was giving them the instructions that they would need to manage the coming days.  In the first part of chapter 13, we see Jesus as he demonstrates true humility.  In the next section he teaches about holiness.  In this verse, Jesus tells us about happiness or being blessed.  Our happiness is based on holiness and humility.  We are given Jesus’ holiness so that we can stand before God, so we can come to God in prayer in confidence. 

    We can take comfort in the fact that we do know these things.  We know that Jesus died and rose again, and he now sits in heaven protecting his church.  We can take comfort in the fact that we know how the story ends; we are victorious in Christ.  This victory is handed to us freely by our loving Savior.  This is given to us; we do nothing to earn it.  Because of this fact, we should be humble, humble before God.

    But we see that knowing what is right is not enough to keep us happy; we must put this knowledge in practice.  Jesus has just shown his disciples a lesson in humility, in serving others.  The world will ask,” how many people serve you?”  God asks us,” how many do you serve?’  How many do we help?  How many feet have you washed today?  While this may sound strange to the world, God gives us peace and happiness in our task.  We have no great effort to do to earn our salvation, we have no great work to do to battle the devil; Jesus has done this already for us.  Now that we are saved; we are free to enjoy his grace and to share his love with those around us. 

    This action is a response, a thank you, to God for his wondrous love that is always poured out upon us.  We simply say, “thank you” and we do this best by caring for God’s creation of which our fellow humans are the preeminent portion.  Yet all of God’s creation is to be treasured and held in honor and respect.  It is ours to take care of, a trust placed in our hands.  It is a way to honor God and all that he has done and continues to do for us. This is how God designed it for us; to be caretakers of each other and of the rest of creation.  This is part of God's plan for you; to enjoy the life that He gives you.  So be happy and content with God's blessings!

      Lord Jesus, we are too often unhappy because we do not place our trust in you, and it causes us to lose our way.  Forgive us our weaknesses and sins.  Give us strength to follow you with all humility and holiness.  Use us as your hands to serve others that we know true happiness in your grace. Use us to bring about your healing.  In your precious name we pray, Amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret