Friday, November 15, 2013

Shalom,

When we visited Israel and stood on the Mount of Olives, looking down into the Old City of Jerusalem, I had an overwhelming understanding of what Jesus Himself felt when He stood in that same spot, preparing to go there. John 13:1-5 tells us that Jesus was "fully aware" of what He was about to do, for all of mankind! 

[NOW] BEFORE the Passover Feast began, Jesus knew (was fully aware) that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. And as He had loved those who were His own in the world, He loved them to the last and to the highest degree. So [it was] during supper, Satan having already put the thought of betraying Jesus in the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, [That] Jesus, knowing (fully aware) that the Father had put everything into His hands, and that He had come from God and was [now] returning to God, Got up from supper, took off His garments, and taking a [servant's] towel, He fastened it around His waist. Then He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the [servant's] towel with which He was girded.

Jesus knew what He was about to do, and He knew that these disciples of His would not understand at the time, but would understand later, exactly what this action meant for them! They wrote the account, as led by the Holy Spirit, and WE can know now, too! Peter did not understand! Verses 6-10a shows this and the repsonse of Jesus:

When He came to Simon Peter, [Peter] said to Him, Lord, are my feet to be washed by You? [Is it for You to wash my feet?] Jesus said to him, You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later on. Peter said to Him, You shall never wash my feet! Jesus answered him, Unless I wash you, you have no part with (in) Me [you have no share in companionship with Me]. Simon Peter said to Him, Lord, [wash] not only my feet, but my hands and my head too! 10a Jesus said to him, Anyone who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is clean all over.

Do YOU understand that once a person is born again, having received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior (having bathed), they no longer have a sin nature? All previous sin is done away with and no longer exists! WHEN we sin AFTER the new birth, then we must confess that sin (wash our feet) and receive forgiveness according to 1 John 1:9:

9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. AMP

Confessing our known sin causes us to walk in forgiveness and to be cleansed from the sin we are currently unaware of! That means that we can continually walk sin free! We WILL miss it from time to time, but HE is FAITHFUL! AMEN! Make use of 1 John 1:9 immediately and refuse to spend one moment out of fellowship with HIM! That is His great desire! Go BOLDLY into His presence (Hebrews 4:16) and be clean! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Live with "Always Will":


Shalom in Him!