The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, They have done abominable works, There is none who does good.
Memory of the month: And they said to one another, "Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" —Luke 24:32
Today's reading: JUDGES 13-15 LUKE 6:27-49
Fool's Feet
Jesus said for us to be kind and charitable to our enemies-why? Jesus says our Father in Heaven is kind and pleasant to the ungrateful, Luke 7:35.
That is hard to swallow especially when we read this:
►The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left. Ecclesiastes 10:2
But then we hear the words of Jesus again:
►But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. Matthew 5:22
Take a step back and look with me at what Jesus actually did. The night before the crucifixion, the gathering we know as the 'last supper', John 13:1-17. So much of our time is spent talking about the conversation between Peter and Jesus that we sometimes miss an important part.
It starts by saying that Judas had already been prompted to betray Jesus(verse 2) and then says that Jesus knew that God had put everything in His power. This means that even though Jesus knew what Judas was doing, He knew what had to happen though He could have stopped the whole thing.
Instead, Jesus took off His outer clothing and wrapped a towel around His waist and washed the feet of everyone there to illustrate His idea for our humility-even our enemies-those considered to be fools.
Here we are on April fool's day and I know it is just another day where people feel a license to pull pranks and jokes. But it is what is called Maundy Thursday. It is the day we celebrate Jesus' command to love one another>
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34).
We must see to it today that we do not judge someone to be a fool. That is a no brainer since we are to not judge anyone, Matthew 7:1-3, but I know where our minds go...where mine goes, anyway.
Remember Judas and what He did. No one has yet to give you up to be killed. To be humble enough to wash the feet of our worst enemy is a big challenge but remember Jesus and Judas. Jesus said to love the worst-the very worst one-to humble yourself enough to be willing to wash their feet.
Today, or any day, if someone takes the opportunity to hurt you or embarrass you or someone you love, take your anger captive and look straight to Jesus and what He did to Judas. He loved Him.
Peter had a tough night that night and next day-Judas had a tough night and next day- Jesus knew what was in progress and let it all happen because it was in God's plan and knew what kind of a world changing next couple of days He would go through.
Everything in our lives pale in comparison to salvation Jesus provided for us in those hours. Washing our enemy's feet is such a small thing. Loving our enemy is such a large thing-the command from Jesus. The example of God.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me my anger and ,yes, hate, for my enemies. Have mercy on me, gracious and loving God.
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