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I Do

Word Day 12 Do As I Do: Digging Deeper

May 4, 2021 by Lisa Marcelina Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Do As I Do!

The Questions

1) Why did Jesus ask the disciples if they knew what He had done for them? (verse 12)

2) Why did Jesus command the disciples to wash one another’s feet? (verse 14)

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him”? (verse 16)

John 13:12-17

When Jesus had washed their feet and put on his outer clothing, he reclined again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you?” You call me Teacher and Lord – and you are speaking rightly, since that is what I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done for you. Truly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed to do them.

Original Intent

1) Why did Jesus ask the disciples if they knew what He had done for them? (verse 12)
After Jesus washed the disciples’ feet He replaced His robe and proceeded to engage them in conversation as to why He did what He did. Previously, in verse 4, Jesus removed His robe after the Passover meal and wrapped a towel around His waist in preparation for foot washing. This common gesture of wearing a towel signified Jesus taking on the role of a slave. This would have baffled the disciples! Only slaves washed the feet of their master, but not even Jewish slaves were allowed to wash their masters’ feet (NKJV Chronological Study Bible Notes). To watch Jesus undertake such a menial task would have been beyond the understanding of the disciples. Many a time the disciples did not understand what Jesus was doing or teaching; Jesus knew they could be “slow” to understand. In Mark 8:14-21 Jesus told His disciples to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees, but even as they discussed it among themselves, they did not understand Jesus’ meaning. They concluded His remark was because they’d forgotten to bring bread. Jesus rebuked them harshly and asked, “Don’t you understand yet?”. (Mark 8:21) In Matthew 15:2-19, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for focusing on hand-washing traditions instead of God’s heart to honor Him. The disciples told Jesus the Pharisees were offended, but Jesus told them to leave the Pharisees alone as they were blind and were leading each other into a pit. The disciples again, not understanding, asked Jesus to explain. Jesus responded, “Do you still lack understanding?”. (Matthew 15:16) There were even times the disciples were afraid to ask Jesus questions. (Mark 9:30-32, John 16:16-19) Because His example of humble servitude was so critically important to His disciples imitating, He wanted to be sure they understood the full weight of His actions.

2) Why did Jesus command the disciples to wash one another’s feet? (verse 14)
Jesus wanted the disciples to understand what being humble, loving, and serving others really meant. Jesus knew a mere parable would not suffice, so He went out of His way to actively demonstrate what humility looked like by washing the filthy feet of His disciples. This act of humble love was an entirely new concept for the disciples. John Dickson explains, “The word humility in both the ancient Greek and Latin meant low, as in low to the ground. It had an entirely negative connotation. In a world that loved reputation and honour above pretty much anything else, humility just didn’t make sense.” Jesus wanted His disciples to become humble servants of each other and those around them who desperately needed to experience Christ’s offer to rescue them from sin. The only way for the disciples to grasp this concept was for Jesus to live it out for them in an unforgettably tangible way. He then commanded them to follow His example and do the same.

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him”? (verse 16)
If Jesus, as their Teacher and Lord, could do such a menial task as wash their feet, then the disciples, as His students, are not above Him, and should do likewise. They were to follow His example and become servants. Jesus expressed this sentiment many times as He modeled a life of love for His disciples. (Matthew 10:24, Luke 6:40) In Luke’s record of the Passover where Jesus washed their feet, a dispute arose among the disciples about who should be considered the greatest. (Luke 22:24) It could be this discourse that prompted Jesus to embark on the foot washing ceremony. Jesus told them not to be like the kings who rule over the Gentiles because their main concern was status. Instead, Jesus’ disciples must be like Him and serve with humble love. (Luke 22:27)

Everyday Application

1) Why did Jesus ask the disciples if they knew what He had done for them? (verse 12)
On many occasions, the disciples didn’t understand what Jesus said or why He did some of the things He did. Jesus even had to rebuke them at times for taking His intended meaning beyond what He wanted them to understand. Can we blame them? After all, Jesus was God in the flesh. It would have been difficult for them to understand His divinity just as it is for us today. Sometimes, we go through difficult circumstances that leave us questioning God. A few years ago, I was betrayed by a close family member. When it happened, I was in total shock. I felt like Joseph when his brothers placed him in a pit and sold him into slavery. (Genesis 37:12-36) My life literally shattered that day! All I could think is, “Why?!”. I prayed for God to give me answers, but it was slow. He kept telling me to be patient. Little by little, things were revealed until I had the whole story. We need to wait on God to give His answers in His time. He is faithful to reveal Himself in the context of a relationship with Him as we study Scripture, listen to sermons, and seek wise counsel from other believers in Jesus. Even in the struggle, God graciously gives purpose. It wasn’t until Jesus’ death and resurrection that the disciples fully understood that Jesus’ example of humble servitude was to be the foundation by which they extended the love of Jesus to others. Are there circumstances in your life you don’t understand? Instead of worrying, or bringing your own solution, ask God for guidance through prayer. Read the Scriptures and seek godly counsel. He will be faithful to reveal His answer in His time. Just be patient.

2) Why did Jesus command the disciples to wash one another’s feet? (verse 14)
The command to wash one another’s feet in humble service extends to us as Christ-followers also. Jesus was the epitome of humility, and we are called to be like Him. (Romans 8:29) It doesn’t matter if we are the CEO of a company or a janitor, all who have surrendered their lives to Jesus are to serve others with humble hearts. I know someone who refused to help a former employee when he became Department Manager (we’ll call him C). The employee (P) was so disappointed. P confided to me that when C worked with him before becoming Manager, he would assist him in anything he needed. As Manager, however, C refused to take his calls. P couldn’t believe he was treated in such a manner after all he did for C when they worked together. We, as Christians are called to service regardless of our position in life. Philippians 2:3 states, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves”. As Christians, we need to wash each other’s feet.

3) What did Jesus mean by “a servant is not greater than his master, and a messenger is not greater than the one who sent him”? (verse 16)
“The world asks, “How many people work for you?”, but the Lord asks, “For how many people do you work?”” (Warren W. Wiersbe). A friend told me, while he was at the bank one day, he observed the CEO walking the floor. There was a piece of paper on the ground. The CEO, without thinking twice, picked it up, threw it away and continued walking the floor. My friend was absolutely amazed because, in his mind, the CEO could have easily called the janitor or another employee to pick up the trash. But he didn’t, he did it himself. This showed his humility. It wasn’t beneath him to pick up that paper. Loving and serving others isn’t about us, but Who we work for. Whatever we do, we are to do it for the benefit of others and, most importantly, for the glory of God. (Colossians 3:17) Reiterating Philippians 2:3, other people are more important than us, and our job as Christians is to serve them. If Jesus did it, so should we! (Philippians 2:5-11)

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Do As I Do!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

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Posted in: Christ, Digging Deeper, Follow, God, Grace, He, Jesus, Love, Purpose, Relationship, Scripture Tagged: demonstrate, disciples, example, faithful, honor, humble, I Do, Servent, Teacher, Teaching, Word

The GT Weekend! ~ Beloved Week 3

December 5, 2020 by Rebecca Leave a Comment

The GT Weekend!

At Gracefully Truthful, weekends aren’t for “checking out”.
Use this time to invite the Almighty’s fullness into you life in a deeper way!
Saturdays and Sundays are a chance to
reflect, rest, and re-center our lives onto Christ.
Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with other women in prayer,
rest your soul in reflective journaling,
and spend time worshiping the Creator who
longs for intimacy with each of us!

Worship Through Journaling

Worship Through Journaling

1) When you think of God and sexual intimacy, what are your first responses? Pulling away? Shame? Closeness and delight? Gratitude? How we respond to the idea of God and sex reveals what we believe about our Creator and intimacy with us. As you unpack your beliefs in this area, take the challenge to read through Song of Solomon aloud. Spend some time praying beforehand, asking God to open your heart to understand His desire for oneness and delight in marriage. The world, and our enemy Satan, would have us believe that sex is dirty, embarrassing, and anything but sacred. Whether you are single or married, all of us have room to grow in elevating our view of the holiness of marriage and sexual intimacy. As you finish reading through Song of Solomon, write down the truths that most arrested your attention. Ask the Lord to keep expanding your understanding of these rich truths!

2) We all love the thrilling feelings of soaring excitement when relationships begin or when we finally say, “I do.” It’s the after when the excitement fades, disagreements arise, and suddenly, the glorious feelings we once felt towards the one person we vowed to love are nowhere to be found. Stacy shares of her euphoria at the beginning, only to watch it fade to mundane and lackluster in the after. A million and one distractions tempt us away from growing in love and maturity with our spouse, and if we aren’t on guard, these can quickly fuel entitlement in relationship effectively driving a wedge between two who were once inseparable. If you’re married, some ways your spouse has become distracted and entitled are probably already popping into your mind! But, turn it around and ask the Spirit to show you how you are becoming disengaged and entitled as well. Thank Him for showing you these, then ask for His power to flee the temptation to run towards these and run away instead. Single friends, consider the idols you run towards most often to distract you from hard or messy things. What patterns do you notice about yourself when you are feeling unloved or unaccepted in your relationships? Take these to the Lord and ask Him to show you His rich redemptive work in your life!

3) Give yourself permission to have some space in your day to be still and reflective. Maybe you lock your closet or your bathroom door, or maybe “quiet” needs to look like your kids are loud. Just make the space! Close your eyes, take some deep breaths and consider what it has felt like, or what it might feel like, to have someone sing over you who knows you deeply, wholly, and without condition or judgement. What words would they choose to set to melody? What would their voice sound like? What characteristics would they eagerly highlight about you? What might they say about their own love toward you? What if this was the Lord’s voice over you; how might your heart respond? Pause here and take in these feelings without discounting them or brushing them aside. Beloved, how deeply the Lord loves to love you! Breathe in this truth and let His voice sing over you with bold declaration! Stay here as long you need, then as your time closes, ask the Lord specifically who you can sing over. Whether it’s with true musical melodies or it’s just a spoken word of truth, woven with life-giving love, be willing and ready to extend a song of love over whoever the Lord brings to mind!

Praying Scripture back to the One who wrote it in the first place is a great way to jump start our prayer-life! Pray this passage from Zephaniah 3:17 back to the Lord and
let His Spirit speak to you through it!

The Lord your God is among you,
a warrior who saves.
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
He will be quiet in his love.
He will delight in you with singing.”

Prayer Journal
Your love truly is matchless, oh Lord, my Savior and my God. Your love is as mighty as an ocean wave at every single moment of my life. When I feel alone in my relationships as friend, daughter, mother, or wife, You “send Your faithful love by day and at night Your song is with me.” (Psalm 42:8) No one else offers steadfast constancy like You. Forgive me, oh Abba, for the many times I choose to hinge my delight on another’s love and care for me instead of yours. Never will Your love change or disappoint; remind me to listen for Your love song regardless of feelings. Make me aware, Holy Spirit, of the countless distractions pulling me away from You, the Only One who loves me perfectly and completely. Empower me to turn my eyes from worthless things, focusing on You as complete satisfier of my every need. As I practice turning and looking in full at You and Your word, teach me how to love others selflessly with the same humility You model towards me. I love You, Lord Jesus, heal my relationships and use me as a conduit of Your love.

Worship Through Community

Can we pray for you? Reach Out! We’d love to pray for and with you!
Send us an email at prayer@gracefullytruthful.com

Build community, be transparent, and encourage others:
Share how God spoke to you today!
Comment Here or in our Facebook Community Group!

Worship Through Prayer

Worship Through Music

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Posted in: Beloved, Digging Deeper, God, Marriage, Redemption, Relationship, Sing, Song, Truth, Worship Tagged: Celebrating, creator, Deeply, delight, desire, I Do, intimacy, oneness, Song of Solomon, true love

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