Easter Reflections

Easter Week Reflections – Emmaus

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That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened.  As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. Luke 24:13-15

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This story involves two very ordinary disciples. They hadn’t been in the inner circle of Christ’s followers or been included for special events such as the transfiguration, the last supper or even the changing of water into wine. In fact, in some ways these two guys were just like us! They didn’t get why Jesus had to suffer and die. That day they had heard some odd news about His resurrection. This was just beyond their understanding. What was it all about?

Jesus knows when we’ve been talking about Him! I am sure you have heard someone say, “Remember God is listening!” but how often have we taken that literally? These men were exactly like that. Jesus was listening, but God kept them from recognizing Him. Sometimes Jesus showed Himself openly but this day He concealed His identity. The good news is that whether we are aware of Him or not, He knows right where we are! Jesus is eager and willing to walk along side of us and listen to our questions. Their conversation with Jesus which had started out with sorrow turned to hope. The news of Easter morning is that Jesus knows where we are, He has come to meet us on our own road to Emmaus!

Washing Feet

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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.

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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

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Search Me

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February 17-  4th Day of Lent

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalms 139:23-24 NLT

When the surgeon came to meet me as I lay on the operating table I was calm. Though we had only spoken briefly while I had been examined in his office the week before I trusted him. How much more should we be trusting God during times of change in our lives? May this not just be a season of introspection but rather one of asking God for His inspection of our lives. When we trust God as our surgeon we yield to Him control of our life. We trust that even what we don’t yet understand will be best left in His hands.

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How can we know that He has our best at heart? We can be confident because we see that His own journey towards Easter morning was marked by a trust that was determined to stay the course, no matter the cost. We can choose again by faith to set out on whatever new path He chooses because His promise is that it leads to everlasting life!

 

Excerpt from Easter Reflections

Easter Reflections – Devotions for Lent 2018

 

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