2-4-2022

 Good Morning All,

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

    The four mothers were bragging about their sons. The first said her son was a colonel in the army and had hundreds of men that served under him. The next mother said her son managed a Fortune 500 company and had hundreds of employees serving under his watchful eye. The third mother said her son was the CEO of a huge hospital chain and he had thousands of employees who served under him. The fourth mother said that her son just owned a restaurant and that he could get a waiter any time he wanted.

    This verse comes from what we call the “Upper Room” discourse. Jesus is spending the last few hours of this last night with his disciples before he is betrayed by Judas. He was giving them the instructions and encouragements that they would need to manage these next few 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. 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. This is so we may be a blessing to those in the world who are most often left behind, the poor and the orphans and the widows and the aliens in the land. Our group of “throw-away folks” may be different but the meaning is the same. 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. Especially those who are the downtrodden and the suffering, the “least of these, my brothers.” It is only by God’s grace that we have eternal life, a gift that only God can give. Now He wants to use our skills and talents to bring comfort and peace to those who are hurting. This is part of God's plan for you; to enjoy the life that He gives you. Then to freely share this gift with your family, your friends and with those who are in most desperate of need. So be happy with God's blessings and share!

Lord Jesus, we are too often unhappy because we do not place our trust in you. 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.

In your name we pray, Amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret