Tag: John 13:12-17
Bestowed blessing!
Scripture reading for June 28: Psalms 128-134
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like the precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” Psalm 133:1-3
Psalm 133 is the next to the last of the songs of ascents and speaks of an important aspect of life in the family and city of God. Living together with others in a state of unity and harmony is not something that comes naturally. Each person has different desires, likes, attitudes, temperaments and ideas of what makes for a peaceful life. Selfishness causes fighting, strife and complaining. Unity is an elusive quality in any home, community, state, or nation. It has been impossible in most!
The psalm states that it is good and pleasant when brothers live together in unity. Jesus picked twelve disciples and they had a hard time keeping peace. They loved to argue and dispute among themselves about who would be the greatest disciple. Jesus taught them that the way to keep peace and unity was to take the lowest place and to find joy in serving. At the Last Supper, He took a towel and washed their feet and taught them by example that humility and serving brings unity. (John 13:12-17) Later that same night, Jesus prayed that His disciples would be kept in complete unity that the world might believe that Jesus was sent by the Father! (John 17:20-23)
The unity of brothers is likened to the anointing of the High Priest. Oil was poured on his head as a symbol of blessing from above. The oil would flow from the head down to beard and drip onto the collar of the robe. This anointing oil brought the enablement of the Spirit of God to pray and intercede on behalf of the people. Jesus Christ is our High Priest and intercessor! He was anointed by His Father and is praying for us now. That anointing to pray and walk in peace flows from our High Priest today.
The last analogy is that of dew dropping on Mt. Hermon. Dew is moisture that comes in the cool of the evening on grass, rocks, and trees. It brings refreshing and helps all life prepare for another day. Unity is like the dew from heaven refreshing us each evening as we rest in God’s community of unity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Their perfect unity permeates our souls and brings blessing–life forever more!
An example to follow!
Scripture reading for November 9th: John 13
Key Scriptures: John 13:12-15 “When He had washed their feet and put on His outer garments and resumed His place, He said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.”
Jesus had just taken off His out garment and taken a towel and basin and washed each of the disciple’s feet. He took the place of a servant and, although Lord and Teacher (Rabbi), demonstrated for them the servant heart that He had for them and all who would come to Him. He told them to go and do likewise for each other, remembering His example. Real worship is obedience to Jesus and results in loving service to the members of His body on earth, the Church. Jesus’ example would have rocked the thinking of His own disciples and the culture of that day. The way up, is to humbly take the lowest place by serving the needs of others.
John 13:16-17 “Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your humble example of obedience and serving others. Thank You for serving all by giving your life on the cross and by this example of serving Your own disciples. I commit to serving You and Your Father by serving my brothers and sisters as long as I have breath! I want all people to know that I am Your disciple.
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”