Hi Friends👋🏾, Andrea from #TheOneThing1 and the podcast #SeedForTheSoul. I am elated you've dropped by my page.
In my journey with Jesus, I am asking a whole lot of questions. Why did Jesus do this? Why did He go there? Why did He say that? How about you?
Did you know that every word and, quite possibly, every movement in the Bible is symbolic and meaningful? How do we know this?
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First, God is the God of intention. He never does anything or says anything unless it has significance. Often, we focus on the word, yet He offers much more when we feast on the dainties woven in the word, such as His actions.
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Let’s consider the opening upper room discourse of our Lord Jesus. “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?” John 13:12.
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Jesus invites us to contemplate His actions, not just His words. Friends, this opens up an expansive area of study, inviting us to revisit the Scriptures and ponder God's movements because He is fluid, and His actions have meaning.
The washing of the disciples’ feet is symbolic, though, it is often summed up as a teaching on humility among believers: there is more to be had.
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Look at this verse👉🏾: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” John 13:17.
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Jesus is demonstrating one way we can experience blessedness: by partaking in something He takes great delight in. Blessed here means happy.
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Are you in a slump? Do you need some joy? Do you want to experience the blessing of God? We possess it when we understand what Jesus did in this passage of Scripture and then do likewise😉.
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We can wash one another's feet in the physical sense, but would that make us happy🤷🏾♀️? I suppose we could find some satisfaction in it. However, my pastor reminded us that this is one of the last things Jesus did before the Passion. Therefore, we should pause and consider how and why this moment is of the utmost importance.
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Of course, Jesus demonstrated humility. We can unpack how humility comes from knowing we already possess everything in the Person of Jesus (John 13:3). Yet, let’s look at Him. Let’s feast on more of Him.
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Jesus is the Word. The Word is cleansing them from the defilement of daily life, washing their feet from the dust gathered throughout the day. We also gather dust from the experiences of life, and as we come to the word of God, He washes us with the word. 👉🏾“that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” Ephesians 5:26.
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Jesus demonstrates how the Word washed them, and though He is in heaven, He continues to wash us. As we embrace the Word, He cleanses us—even now.
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Let’s not miss this…. We are given the esteemed opportunity to wash one another with the word of God, and as we do, we walk in the reality of blessedness and experience another measure of joy 👉🏾 “Blessed are you if you do them.” John 13:17.
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What is interesting is that it is true! Most of us neglect to see His divine providence because, in its simplicity, we don’t notice God at work and indeed blessing us. I don't say this to condemn, but for us to remember God uses simplicity, which challenges us to unravel complexity by simply trusting in and relying on Him 👉🏾 “At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;” Matthew 11:25.
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Have you ever noticed how when you feel out of sorts or are walking through a difficult season— At that time, someone calls in need. It's as though a silent prescription has been sent to heal us, and often, we don't notice it. At the moment, we may even roll our eyes because we are so overwhelmed.
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Have you ever noticed how, though you feel like you are sinking, somehow you are strengthened to hold space for them, and instead of being consumed with your own issues, you end up telling them a testimony of the Lord’s faithfulness? Just moments prior, you were in a complete slump, and now you feel joy after encouraging them, even though your situation hasn't changed …why?
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There’s a Kingdom principle at work, one represented here in this text, that we often unintentionally put into practice but one we should be cognizant of.
Let’s journey a little further, seeing our Lord Jesus demonstrate this very principle in just a few verses.
❦ “Jacob’s well was there; so Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.”
John 4:6.
❦ “Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” John 4:10.
❦ “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”John 4:14.
❦ “But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” John 4:32, 34.
Jesus was tired, yet He was strengthened as He shared Himself with the woman at the well.
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We are blessed and beloved when we share the Gospel and talk about Jesus. It is communing with the Father over the one He loves. And think about this; if we can grieve the Spirit, we can also delight the Spirit. One way we do this is by declaring the finished work of Jesus through the testimony of His faithfulness.
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I just love God’s ways. They are so simple yet powerful. We are blessed simply by talking about the Son that He loves. This is our God.
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Let’s give Him praise 🙌🏾
Journal Prompts:
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Reflection on Intentionality: Reflect on a recent event or decision in your life. How did you see God's intentionality at work? How did this experience shape your understanding of His purpose?
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Understanding Jesus' Actions: Reread John 13:12-17. What stands out to you about Jesus' actions in this passage? How do you feel called to follow His example in your daily life?
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Blessedness through Obedience: Jesus said, “Blessed are you if you do them.” What specific actions can you take today to live out this blessedness? How do you feel when you serve others in Jesus’ name?
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Cleansing through the Word: Consider a recent experience where you felt weighed down by the challenges of life. How did God’s Word bring you cleansing and renewal?
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Finding Joy in Service: Recall a time when you helped someone while you were struggling. How did this act of service impact your emotions and your relationship with God? What does this teach you about the connection between serving others and finding joy?
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Noticing God's Work in Simplicity: Think of a time when you saw God at work in a simple, unexpected way. How did this experience challenge or deepen your trust in Him? How can you remain open to seeing God's hand in the simple moments?
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Communing with the Father: Journal how you feel after sharing your faith with someone. How does this affect your relationship with the Lord?
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Pleasing the Spirit: How do you think your words and actions can either grieve or please the Holy Spirit? What changes might you make to align more closely with the Spirit's leading?
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Embracing Simplicity in God’s Ways: How does understanding the simplicity of God's ways affect your approach to faith and obedience? What simple yet powerful truths is God highlighting to you right now?
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Praise and Thanksgiving: Spend some time writing a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. Focus on how God has blessed you through your obedience and service to others. How can you make gratitude a daily practice?
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