Riding on a Donkey

Then Jesus, when He had found a young donkey, sat on it; as it is written: “Fear not, daughter of Zion; Behold, your King is coming, sitting on a donkey’s colt.  John 12:14-15

The fact that Jesus chose the most humble animal to ride as He entered Jerusalem gives me hope. Like the donkey most of us are not powerful, wealthy or amazingly smart. We are just ordinary people in ordinary neighborhoods with everyday problems. Why would God, the universe creator, the King of Glory, the glorious and holy ruler of all life be interested in us? How could we dare even think that we could bring our need for daily bread and forgiveness for our sins to him?

KIMG2029.jpg

We can hope because our king is coming, not to conquer us or arrest us but to help us. He is coming humbly to take His throne and righteously rule over the life of anyone who will welcome Him. He knows we are afraid. He understands the feelings of our weaknesses. He has faced every temptation we have, yet without sin. He has tasted death for everyone who has ever lived. He is coming, to be our king, seated on a donkey, so we will not be afraid. Today is the day to greet Him with palm branches along the path. He is coming to us and He has chosen to give His life for us again today!

Washing Feet

So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. John 13:4-5 NLT

One of the most overlooked events leading up to Easter is when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. A few times in my life I have been blessed to be a part of a foot washing ceremony. It has been an amazing experience, but Jesus was not talking just about a ceremony. Foot washing was simply a practical everyday need in the ancient world. People walked everywhere and the dusty streets got everyone’s feet coated with dirt and grime. Washing someone else’s feet would be like us going over to a friend’s house to do their laundry or take out the garbage.

Nepal and India 138 revised

For most of us the challenge is not just the job, but the servant’s place we must take to do it. Because we associate who we are with what we do it is easy to think that we will lose value if we begin to act like servants. But Jesus left us more than a command. He left us His example. The question then is “What is the job God has called me to do?” If He washed feet to show His love how can I do otherwise? We can wash feet, take out the garbage or change diapers all because we trust Him. We can do the small things without getting big heads and show the world, foot by foot and generation by generation the depth and the beauty of the love of God for us!

So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him. John 13:4-5 NLT

One of the most overlooked events leading up to Easter is when Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. A few times in my life I have been blessed to be a part of a foot washing ceremony. It has been an amazing experience, but Jesus was not talking just about a ceremony. Foot washing was simply a practical everyday need in the ancient world. People walked everywhere and the dusty streets got everyone’s feet coated with dirt and grime. Washing someone else’s feet would be like us going over to a friend’s house to do their laundry or take out the garbage.

For most of us the challenge is not just the job, but the servant’s place we must take to do it. Because we associate who we are with what we do it is easy to think that we will lose value if we begin to act like servants. But Jesus left us more than a command. He left us His example. The question then is “What is the job God has called me to do?” If He washed feet to show His love how can I do otherwise? We can wash feet, take out the garbage or change diapers all because we trust Him. We can do the small things without getting big heads and show the world, foot by foot and generation by generation the depth and the beauty of the love of God for us!

Daily reading from Easter Reflections

Available in e-book of softcover

Reflections thumbnail

Becoming Still

and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:12

Have you had some earthquakes and fires pass through your life? Does it feel as if everything has fallen down or burned down this morning? Do not despair but prepare. God is ready to speak if we are ready to listen. Now is the time to be most still and discover that our only true refuge is in His word!

1521882024349_image.jpg