Not Understanding It

Not Understanding It

John 13: ⁶ Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?”

⁷ Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.”

⁸ Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!”

Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.”

⁹ Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

¹⁰ Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” ¹¹ For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.”

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Finally I ran into a group of leaders I appreciated being around. When an opportunity for advancement came open, I scheduled a meeting to ask for the position. It had nothing to do with my skills or accomplishments, I just wanted to be with that group. “Don’t worry” they said to me. “We have something for you too.” What were they talking about? I pondered.

• There were times when I did not understand my benefactors.
• There were times when I did not understand when people had good plans for me.
• There were times when I was suspicious of allowing someone else to look out for me, so I had to look out for “myself.”

Peter, not understanding what JESUS was doing, tried to stop HIM from washing his feet. JESUS tried to tell Peter that he would understand later. Peter went further in his misunderstanding by telling JESUS to wash his entire body. Peter had great intentions.

• GOD understands that I will misunderstand HIM.
• GOD understands that I will think I know what HE is doing, but I will be grossly wrong.
• GOD understands that I will try hard to please HIM, even though HE is already extremely pleased with me.

JESUS needed to serve humans so we could see a real example. I mean, GOD lowered HIMSELF to the point of washing grime and stench off of our feet. I believe HE was telling us that we may step in sin but our feet can be cleaned. But there was one who’s heart was not clean, therefore foot washing would have no effect.

GOD wants my heart. HE can cleanse me of all unrighteousness as long as I give HIM my desires. I am grateful HE can clean me up when I sin.

• Do you want to be clean?
• Do you want to be with GOD in HIS quest to save humanity?
• Will you allow HIM to clean you up the way HE wants to so you can serve many people?

Mislabeled

Luke 10: ¹⁴ And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. ¹⁵ But some of them said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”

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“Sneaky” was the label I placed on this particular person. I mean they were always caught up in politics and I could sense they were simply using me to keep their power. This person was now on my side and mentioned my performance publicly. They couldn’t just like me for me, right?

• Sometimes I label people to protect myself.
• Sometimes I label people when I cannot explain their actions.
• Sometimes I label people so I can deal with them a certain way.

JESUS had just performed a miracle. HE cast out a demon and healed a mute person. Everyone was amazed except those who placed a negative label on HIM. They called JESUS “The Enemy.”

• GOD wants me to drop my negative labels of HIM.
• GOD wants me to stop thinking HE is out to get me when things are not going the way I want them to.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as my Savior and trust that HE has the best in mind for me.

Placing trust in GOD means I have better labels for HIM. Each day I can see “Mercy”, “Patience”, “Care” and “Forgiveness” if I simply open my eyes and accept HIS love. GOD does care for me even when I mislabel HIM.

• Are you mislabeling GOD?
• Have you forgotten the grace HE has shown you?
• Will you stop labeling people and listen to GOD by serving those who are difficult to serve?