John 13 -Jesus Washes His Disciple's Feet

[Who me]

On 5/13/2022 at 7:18 PM, Starise said:

I am the furthermost person you could imagine to direct policy at my church.

 

How are you involved in these and other ministries.

 

If we take the idea of the 'widows mite' and apply it to our involvement in local, national and international charitable and Christian missions, it is out intent and practical support no matter how small that matters.

[Starise]

15 hours ago, Who me said:

How are you involved in these and other ministries.

I participate in technical ministry and the music ministry in the church. I attend and comment in Sunday school classes. I guess they don't think I'm qualified to teach one, but I can give the teacher a real run for his money

I meet with a monthly church group who meet at a private residence where we pray earnestly for those who have come to our attention, also try to pray for them during the week. I give to my local church. I attend a men's group every other Saturday morning for a lesson and prayer. I try to have people from church over to my house when the weather is nice for fellowship. Not in any way patting myself on the back for any of this, but you asked the question.

I still feel sometimes I should be reaching out more to the lost in some way since most of what I do is directly involving my local church.

My church is one of the best I have ever been in so far as having ministry to cover both sexes and all age groups.

I had a request to play in a Christian band that goes around to play, but I declined because it just would not work with my schedule and it was traveling long distances for practices.

When I retire I might look at trying to assist more in ministry outside the church. Giod seems to have called me to local things. I am sometimes tempted to envy those who get to travel all over and see the rest of the world. That said, I live in a nice area that I have no trouble staying in.

[steve morrow]

ARE  YOUR  FEET  BEAUTIFUL  

WHEN  MY  LORD  KING  WILL  THE  MULTITUDE  HUMBLE  THEMSELVES  INTO  TEACHING  YOUR  WORDS  INSTEAD  OF  THEIR  OWN

 

PSALM 119:5  I thought on my ways and turned my feet unto thy testimonies 

PSALM 119:101  I have refrained my feet from every evil way that I might keep thy word 

PSALM 119:105  thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path

PSALM 56:13  for thou hast delivered my soul from death wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling that I may walk before  GOD  in the light of the living 

3 JOHN 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth

EPHESIANS 6:15  and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace

ROMANS 10:15  and how shall they preach except they be sent as it is written how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things 

1 PETER 1:25  but the word of  THE  LORD  endureth forever and this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you

PROVERBS 22:20  have not I written unto you excellent things in counsels and knowledge 

--22:21  that I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee

 

EZEKIEL 16:25  thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way and hast made thy beauty to be abhorred and hast opened thy feet to everyone that passed by and multiplied thy whoredoms 

JEREMIAH 14:10  thus saith THE  LORD  unto this people thus have they loved to wander they have not refrained their feet therefore  THE  LORD  doth not accept them  HE  will now remember their iniquities and visit their sins 

ISAIAH 59:7  their feet run to evil and they make haste to shed innocent blood their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity wasting and destruction are in their paths 

PROVERBS 19:1  better is the poor that walketh in his integrity than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool 

--19:2-- also that the soul be without knowledge it is not good and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth

 

LOVING  THE  LORD  JESUS  CHRIST

 

[Sower]

On 5/10/2022 at 10:58 AM, Starise said:

This foot washing signified the spiritual cleansing Jesus was soon to make though the shedding of His blood. Another significant statement made by Jesus was we should all be willing to wash one another's feet.

In some teachings on this text we are told  this means we should LOWER or humble  ourselves to help a brother. I maybe don't see this the right way. I don't think this is the right approach to this text here.

The only one who truly needed to lower Himself was Jesus. Any other person who thinks they need to lower themself to help another would have pride in their soul would they not? Since no one is lower or higher than anyone else in God's eyes.

"The only one who truly needed to lower Himself was Jesus. Any other person who thinks they need to lower themself to help another would have pride in their soul would they not?"

NO. According to scripture (I think, Starise:)

"Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits"    Romans 12:16

"Condescend" in scripture is not current modern meaning, which is; to show feelings of superiority; be patronizing.

In scripture, condescend meaning; Strongs G 4879, to yield or submit one's self to lowly things, conditions, employments: not to evade their power. to lead away with or together-by a thing, so as to experience with others the force of that which carries away

Every day we all see people that are superior to us in many ways, and those who we are superior to, also. I'm not talking about worth, but opportunities, education, intellect, wealth, family, homes and jobs (salvation) etc . I'm considered a pauper to one, and wealthy to another. I think Jesus washing feet had in mind what most everyone understands, to see others, no matter their state or status, as equal in worth, (Jesus was a man/flesh while on earth), and not judgmentally look upon their costly apparel or rags, clean or filthy, rich or poor.

It should not be inappropriate to see a man in suit and tie to lower his outward status to the level of one in the dirty road needing help, and get in the dirt to help.

I can come upon a street beggar and have an instant judgement (bias) of contempt for his not bettering himself and get a job and work like "I do", to get what I have. Yet I have not the least idea what he has gone through in his life to bring him to ask for money, beg.     There but by the grace of God go I...

God would have us to see that man through the eyes of the one who created him.
(I keep a wad of ones and fives in my truck door pocket for the quick conviction draw)
 

1st Corinthians, 13 is considered the 'love' chapter, but in my(any) KJV bible the word love does not appear. Instead it uses the word charity.  
I can say I love my wife and I love hot peppers the same way. (don't get ideas)
But use the word charity in a sentence.

Can I have charity for my wife?
Can I have charity for hot peppers?
For a beggar?

 

 

 

 

 

[JohnD]

Jesus was definitely acting symbolically / prophetically.

But I also got the strong impression he was teaching his disciples

how to be Apostles.

More to the point, that to lead in God's economy is to serve and to

show by example.

The disciples which were ever scrapping for prominence turned completely 

around soon after the events of the last days before Jesus' death burial and resurrection.

The first shall be last and the last first... goes against every human instinct in the book.

[JohnD]

On 5/11/2022 at 9:01 AM, Rosie1jack2pauline3 said:

Cleaners are equal as anyone else as a Hunan, and I’m sure you have done your fair share of cleaning.

In the world, cleaners are the lowest of the low, I’m sure you know that?

i think it’s pretty obvious what the world would be in, if we didn’t have our dedicated cleaners out there, the dustbin men, road sweepers, etc,etc.

Picture it:

JohnD as a snotty long haired rebellious teen circa 1977... walking down the school hall between classes dragging a pencil down a painted wall just for spite.

A female teacher collared me (literally) from behind. She was so mad that after my feet came back down to the floor she marched me by the collar to the Dean's office.

My parents were onboard with the Dean's idea to punish me.

The next day, in front of God and everyone of my classmates, I went to work all day with the Janitors (maintenance techs of today)...

• cutting grass
• emptying trash cans
• setting up chairs and taking them down in the cafeteria
• sweeping / mopping floors

All in front of smirking and laughing friends and class mates.

Best single day of my education bar none!

I learned how crucial maintenance people are and how under appreciated (and under paid) these people are.

Ever since I have been appreciated (by maintenance people) for  how conscientious to clean up after myself.

I owe it to the maintenance people I worked with that day, my parents, the Dean and that tough as nails little teacher lady.

Maintenance people at every level are crucial and IMHO desperately underpaid when you consider what the world would be like without them.

Google any garbage strike in any major city.

Tip them, thank them, leave them a card, remember them at Christmas.

It will be like gold to them.

Edited May 30, 2022 by JohnD

[Marathoner]

Humility is not a matter of pride, friends. It's quite the opposite.

We do not lower ourselves for the sake of others, which speaks of that pride of the flesh which says, "I have plenty and have need of nothing" when in truth, we are wretched, blind, and naked. 

The apostle instructs us in this matter.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:5-8 NASB)

When we walked in the darkness of this world we didn't understand humility nor lowliness, being filled with pride and consumed by the lust of the flesh. When we lower ourselves for the sake of religion and the outward display, we are proclaiming "Look at me and how humble I am!"

No. The Son of God emptied Himself because He did not not consider equality with God something to be grasped, not because He wished to be humble.

Humility is love and as we know, love does not consider itself, value itself, ask for reward, covet at any time, nor issue demands upon others. Love pours itself out (empties Himself) just as our Lord Jesus Christ poured Himself out for the sake of His friends, even strangers who were at enmity with God. He loved us first.

When our hearts and minds are focused upon humility, the flesh has encroached and taints whatever we do and say. The Lord God washed the feet of His chosen --- even the one who was not clean --- to show that He empties Himself and serves the servant because He loves them, not as a display of His humility. 

Over time I learned something which the Lord taught through the trial: there is no blessing in wealth or goods, and no honor in deprivation and poverty. Both the rich man and the poor man are covetous, greedy, and prideful of their station. The poor man has his protest and demands, and the rich man has his blindness and hardened heart.

But in the Lord, both empty themselves according to the measure given to them by God. That is the blessing, then, to pour ourselves out and empty what He gives. When we do this, remembering that the Lord has regard for the cheerful giver, He fills us to overflowing. 

That is the lesson of footwashing. As Jesus Christ serves us, we serve others. 

[Marathoner]

On 5/12/2022 at 8:31 AM, kwikphilly said:

Blessings Brother....

I dont think " lowering oneself is the right word nor do I think. Humbling oneself to the position of servitude is lowly.... I t think it is s privilege & an honor to serve another......

Jesus, King of kings, Lord of lords humbled Himself from HIS Position of Power and Authority .... I dont think we( I) could get any " lower" since we were already made a little lower than the Angels!!!!! Lol

So, yes God is no respector of persons ... I think its more about Love and not seeing ourselves above anyone else and having a charitable heart, of kindness,considerstion, grace & mercy

Amen, sister. We are honored to serve our neighbor and also each other! 

We don't lower ourselves because the Lord lifts us up. The cup overflows to the glory of God.

[Starise]

16 hours ago, Sower said:

"The only one who truly needed to lower Himself was Jesus. Any other person who thinks they need to lower themself to help another would have pride in their soul would they not?"

NO. According to scripture (I think, Starise:)

"Be of the same mind one toward another.

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.

Be not wise in your own conceits"    Romans 12:16

"Condescend" in scripture is not current modern meaning, which is; to show feelings of superiority; be patronizing.

In scripture, condescend meaning; Strongs G 4879, to yield or submit one's self to lowly things, conditions, employments: not to evade their power. to lead away with or together-by a thing, so as to experience with others the force of that which carries away

Every day we all see people that are superior to us in many ways, and those who we are superior to, also. I'm not talking about worth, but opportunities, education, intellect, wealth, family, homes and jobs (salvation) etc . I'm considered a pauper to one, and wealthy to another. I think Jesus washing feet had in mind what most everyone understands, to see others, no matter their state or status, as equal in worth, (Jesus was a man/flesh while on earth), and not judgmentally look upon their costly apparel or rags, clean or filthy, rich or poor.

It should not be inappropriate to see a man in suit and tie to lower his outward status to the level of one in the dirty road needing help, and get in the dirt to help.

I can come upon a street beggar and have an instant judgement (bias) of contempt for his not bettering himself and get a job and work like "I do", to get what I have. Yet I have not the least idea what he has gone through in his life to bring him to ask for money, beg.     There but by the grace of God go I...

God would have us to see that man through the eyes of the one who created him.
(I keep a wad of ones and fives in my truck door pocket for the quick conviction draw)
 

1st Corinthians, 13 is considered the 'love' chapter, but in my(any) KJV bible the word love does not appear. Instead it uses the word charity.  
I can say I love my wife and I love hot peppers the same way. (don't get ideas)
But use the word charity in a sentence.

Can I have charity for my wife?
Can I have charity for hot peppers?
For a beggar?

 

 

 

 

 

When I made my comment about condescension I was thinking about that closing prayer in my Sunday school class which was basically " Lord help us to lower ourselves for others." I guess it came off all wrong to me.

Certainly there are stations in life and where I live mine isn't high. The things that people look at that cause them to think someone has "arrived" are not the things that define me. In fact, I never wanted to arrive and maybe that's why I haven't arrived  I don't like being around those kinds of people who are prideful based on their life station. As you are probably well aware, here in the US, the trades are not what a person who wants to "go somewhere" gets into. We have the old designations "white collar" and "blue collar". I am definitely blue collar, even though I'm at the high end of it monetarily IF we are only looking at that empty meaningless way the world values people. I married a wife who is 'white collar' but I guess her station would be seen as low white collar lol.

There was a running joke about the differences. White collar work from the neck up and us blue collar work from the neck down. My one co worker once said if you have to wash your hands after work or before you use the rest room you are blue collar.

In looking back I wouldn't change a thing. I like working with my hands. Sometimes I wish I had been born in Germany where the trades are more respected.

Americans get dumber the further up the white collar ladder you go ( I say tongue in cheek but it's at least partially true) They are getting wiser though because when that air conditioning system all loaded with computers that talk to one another fails they sure are not going to fix it. They need one of those stupid blue collar guys :).

This whole thing could be a pride reversal where I get prideful that I know what they don't know and hold that over them  Stupidity seems to be easier to see from the bottom, yet we can't take pride in ourselves because no matter who you are you can take pride in something and feel superior to someone else.

Jesus approached a tax collector. It was pretty commonly known tax collectors often skimmed the take. This is why they were hated by the common people. Jesus hung out with the moochers. This is because Jesus hung out with EVERYONE. That included the dishonest business people.

For men to see themselves as they really are we first need to remove all of the lenses we see others through. That seems to be really difficult for some people.

I most likely have inadvertently showed some bias in my above comments. Maybe you can tell dishonest people who get their gain through dishonest means are not my favorite group of people, especially if this takes advantage of less fortunate others. Neither am I very fond of the Ivy League group who see themselves as almost gods and see others as useful tools to get what they want. Nepotism runs rampant in the high business world.

Jesus loves even them. We are called to tell ALL men. Let it never be said no one ever told them.

Edited May 30, 2022 by Starise

[kwikphilly]

On 5/30/2022 at 6:02 PM, Starise said:

When I made my comment about condescension I was thinking about that closing prayer in my Sunday school class which was basically " Lord help us to lower ourselves for others." I guess it came off all wrong to me.

Certainly there are stations in life and where I live mine isn't high. The things that people look at that cause them to think someone has "arrived" are not the things that define me. In fact, I never wanted to arrive and maybe that's why I haven't arrived  I don't like being around those kinds of people who are prideful based on their life station. As you are probably well aware, here in the US, the trades are not what a person who wants to "go somewhere" gets into. We have the old designations "white collar" and "blue collar". I am definitely blue collar, even though I'm at the high end of it monetarily IF we are only looking at that empty meaningless way the world values people. I married a wife who is 'white collar' but I guess her station would be seen as low white collar lol.

There was a running joke about the differences. White collar work from the neck up and us blue collar work from the neck down. My one co worker once said if you have to wash your hands after work or before you use the rest room you are blue collar.

In looking back I wouldn't change a thing. I like working with my hands. Sometimes I wish I had been born in Germany where the trades are more respected.

Americans get dumber the further up the white collar ladder you go ( I say tongue in cheek but it's at least partially true) They are getting wiser though because when that air conditioning system all loaded with computers that talk to one another fails they sure are not going to fix it. They need one of those stupid blue collar guys :).

This whole thing could be a pride reversal where I get prideful that I know what they don't know and hold that over them  Stupidity seems to be easier to see from the bottom, yet we can't take pride in ourselves because no matter who you are you can take pride in something and feel superior to someone else.

Jesus approached a tax collector. It was pretty commonly known tax collectors often skimmed the take. This is why they were hated by the common people. Jesus hung out with the moochers. This is because Jesus hung out with EVERYONE. That included the dishonest business people.

For men to see themselves as they really are we first need to remove all of the lenses we see others through. That seems to be really difficult for some people.

I most likely have inadvertently showed some bias in my above comments. Maybe you can tell dishonest people who get their gain through dishonest means are not my favorite group of people, especially if this takes advantage of less fortunate others. Neither am I very fond of the Ivy League group who see themselves as almost gods and see others as useful tools to get what they want. Nepotism runs rampant in the high business world.

Jesus loves even them. We are called to tell ALL men. Let it never be said no one ever told them.

Blessings Brother

 God Doesn't like uneven scales ( Proverbs ,11:1) so you are right to detest a dishonest workman- to gain at someone else's loss is an abomination in Gods Eyes

 Also, we must remember that although a spirit of pride is a stronghold or an oppressing spirit there is also gratification from an accomplishment or acheivement where pride is not a bad thing, that sense of contentment that Fills you up with the Joy of our Lord for a job well done.... Proud to boast for Christ or to be His Servant- giving God the Glory!

Anyway, just thought I'd mention that..... I Know Who I am in Christ, because He is in me I have boldness and confidence to approach God's Throne of Grace- good self esteem, secure in Jesus

With love in Christ, Kwik