The Word of the Lord

"To Be Like Jesus," what a thought. We think of His miracles, His love, His kindness, His power, His fellowship with people, the way He changed their life, resurrecting people from the dead, who wouldn’t want to be like Him. The Bible even says to "Let the mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus," Philippians 2:5.

I want to share the greatest way a man can be like Jesus, maybe not what appeals to our flesh the most but what appeals to the heart of God the most. In John 13 through chapter 17 we see some of the Lord’s greatest instructions given to the disciples. It is the evening of what is later to be called "The Last Supper" and the Master shares His heart and the thoughts He feels they will need to carry on. Wonder what we would be sharing the night we would be taken prisoner and then shortly be put to death. I believe it would be things of utmost importance.

A few of the things that He covered was the supper itself, the announcement of Judas’ be-trayal, His death and resurrection, foretells Peter’s denial, speaks of the Holy Spirit, answers some questions, and prays some beautiful prayers for Himself, the disciples and yes, for you and me. Read John 17:20, it goes with Acts 2:39. It speaks of we who were to come later but still not be left out of the blessings of the Lord.

You have some homework, I want you to study John 13:1-17. I will expound on it but to fully appreciate what our Savior did you must read and reread these passages. In verse 4 "He riseth from supper, and laid aside His garments, and took a towel, and girded Himself." Verse 5 says "After that He poured water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded."

The KING of KINGS, and the LORD of LORDS washing people’s feet. No king, president, prime minister or other high ranking official would do that lowest of lowest servant’s job; but our KING did. HALLELUJAH! He riseth from the supper to go down to serve them. He rose from His highest position in heaven to come to earth to serve us. Philippians 2:7 said "He made Himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant and was made in the likeness of men."He laid aside His divinity just as He laid aside His garments.

He took a towel and girded Himself that night; but in His coming to earth what He really did was gird Himself with our sins. In 2 Corinthians 5:21 we read "For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

He poured water into a basin and washed their feet. In a few short hours He would pour out His blood to wash their sins. That blood cleansed then, is cleansing man now, and will cleanse as long as man comes to Jesus for salvation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.

He exchanged heaven for earth that we might exchange earth for heaven. He rested on straw that we might have a mansion. He became like us that we might become like Him. He died that we might live.