GOD’S WORD FOR DECEMBER 18

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

*** ***

THE MASTER’S HUMBLE TOUCH

(Read John 13:1-20)

The world is a dirty place, spiritually speaking.  The vies n television, the dishonesty prevalent in business, and general disregard for moral values – these influences have pressured any believers to compromise their convictions.  The temptations confronting the younger generation are unparalleled in history.

But the real enemy is not without, it is within.  We are born with a nature that quite naturally gravitates toward fleshly interests.  The tainted desires within are only too receptive to the stimuli without.  Even those of us committed to a life of purity find that every inch of progress is contested.

How can we be clean?

Back in 1986 an arsonist broke into the Moody Church in Chicago.  He stole some things from my office, then decided to set the organ, piano, pulpit, and several oak chairs on fire.

Smoke damage throughout the church was extensive.  Cleaning the building took thousands of man-hours.  No matter how often we cleaned the seats in the auditorium, or the books and desks in our offices, we could still find soot hiding in the crevice of a chair or in a desk drawer.

Incredibly, the actions of one man – which probably took 10 minutes – caused grime to settle on 4,000 seats in the auditorium, the hymnals, the halls, and the Sunday School classrooms, not to mention the offices of the church.  Though the arsonist was arrested and spent some time in jail, the consequences of his crime were not thereby diminished.

Just so Adam and Eve, by one act of disobedience, caused the smudge of sin to fall on every human heart.  Throughout the centuries, man has tried to get himself clean.  Try as we might, we cannot erase the stains.  The soot of sin has settled in the human spirit, a place that cannot be reached by popular detergents.

One of the most common sins that needs to be uprooted from our hearts is pride, the subtle attitude that makes us think we are better than others.  Pride makes us haphazard in our prayer life, because we think we need God only in emergencies.  Even after we accept Christ as Savior, pride can keep us from being a true servant.

Late one afternoon the disciples were wrangling over this question;  Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  They were expecting Christ to establish the kingdom, so they wondered, who might the Prime Minister be.  Who would serve as Secretary of State.  That very evening Christ was scheduled to eat the Last Supper with them.  In that environment, He gave them a powerful lesson about humility and spiritual cleansing.

As we might expect, Peter was involved in the much-needed discourse.  Christ used his reactions and questions to teach some lessons all of us need to learn.  Once again the Master Sculptor chiseled a bit more of those fleshly attitudes from Peter’s character.  He also proved His ability to cleanse Peter from every taint of impurity lurking in the heart and conscience.

In those days people wore open sandals or thongs, and their feet became dusty as they walked along the dirt paths.  Servants were expected to wash the feet of guests to make them feel both welcome and comfortable.  Jesus had asked the disciples to prepare the Upper Room so that He might be able to eat the Passover meal with them.  When the thirteen men arrived, no servant was available.  As the disciples looked at one another, wondering who would stoop to wash their feet, Jesus surprised them.   He “rose from supper and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, girded Himself about.  Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.” (John 13:4-5).

Let’s consider the three lessons Christ taught Peter and the other disciples.

 Lessons we all must learn.

*** ***

(Look at the repetition in the Word in the first 6 verses below, of  the basis and utter need of Salvation, both in the Old and New Testament.   Thus, Jesus is the only answer to escape the perils of hell.)

Psalm 14:1

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, there is none who does good.

*** ***

Psalm 14:3

They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.

*** ***

Psalm 53:1

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.

*** ***

Psalm 53:3

Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.

*** ***

Romans 3:12

They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.”

*** ***

Romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

*** ***

Luke 2:11

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

*** ***

2 Timothy 1:8-10

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,  who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord