Faith Journey

John 13:1–17; Matthew 26:17–35

The Story: This passage is about Jesus washing the disciples’ feet, including Judas, and says that this is an example for them to follow. Jesus then tells them that than no one is more important than their master.

The story continues as Jesus and the disciples eat the Passover meal. Jesus tells the disciples that one of them will betray them. Judas, of all people, asks Jesus if it is him. Following the Passover meal they go to the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prophesies to Peter that he will deny Christ 3 times in the next few hours to come.

The Key Truth: In the hours leading up to his crucifixion, Jesus is prophesying the great truth of Jesus' substitutionary death (that Jesus paid the debt of our sin on the cross).

The Application: Within this story, I noticed that Jesus washed all the disciples feet, even Judas' feet, as an example of our humility and servanthood to one another. Personally, I would have bypassed his feet.

I need to understand what it means to be a servant of Christ, even to those that have betrayed me.

Matthew 18:21-35 - Matthew 19:1-15

The Story: In Matthew 18:21-35 we read a story of forgiveness in the context of what it looks like in the Kingdom of Heaven. The example is that of a servant that will not forgive the debts of others even though his master has forgiven him. This angered the master and rescinded his gracious offer and sent him to jail to be tortured. That's how God treats each of us if we refuse to forgive our brother.

In Matthew 19:1-15, Jesus answers the question of divorce. Even though Moses allowed divorce, it was because of hardened hearts. Jesus continued by saying that from the beginning, the intention was that there be no divorce. The only exception was that if there was marital unfaithfulness.

The Key Truth: In the first story the key would be that of forgiveness. We ought always to "let go" the offense of our brother.

The second story is that of marriage is of a man and woman and that this union is God's intention for life. The key truth would be that of faithfulness in marriage.

The Application: I need to examine my life to see if there are people that I have not forgiven. I need to release them.

In the second story my application is to keep my mind and emotions faithful in marriage.

Matthew 21:1–27

The Story: This passage opens with Jesus entering the city upon a donkey and people are giving him a King's entrance. Jesus goes to the temple where people have gathered to sell their wares to which Jesus chases them out with a whip. The religious leaders are indignant and want Jesus to tell them by what authority he is doing these things. They had tried to trick him into a confession to which they could arrest him for blasphemy.

The Key Truth: In the days approaching Passover, Jesus presents himself to the city as Messiah. People had changed Passover into something that brought them personal gain. Jesus turned it back into a holy day that had brought glory to God.

My Application: The religious leaders of Jesus' day were spiritually ego-centric rather than God centered. I need my focus to be on God and lead others to change their focus if it is not on God and equip those that have made the choice to make Christ Lord of their lives.

John 11:1–44

The Story: This is the story of raising Lazarus, Jesus' friend, from the dead. At this time there were people out to see Jesus arrested, primarily in Jerusalem, but Jesus went in broad day light to raise Lazarus from the dead. Jesus performed this miracle to show God's glory (John 11:4).

The Key Truth: For me a key truth would be that Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25, 26). Life was in him and no one could take it from him. In this setting he gave life back to Lazarus.

My Application: I see a key application in John 11:27 where Lazarus' sister, Martha, gave testimony of who Jesus was. She had an authentic belief of Christ's reality and that nothing was impossible for him. I want that reality in my life.