…but god… Episode 173
Transcript
“Be hospitable to one another without complaint. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the multifaceted grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
1 Peter 4:9-11 NASB2020
It was a night about 2000 years ago when Jesus hosted Passover dinner for 12 of his closest disciples, he called them his apostles. Jesus, who was and is always showing us how we as His followers should act. The King of the Universe, begins the most written about and most historic 24 hour period with one of His greatest acts of service. He washes each of His disciples feet. I would venture to say it is this event that Peter is reminiscing, when he refers to being hospitable. (Especially since we have established with relative certainty that this epistle was an Easter sermon). Jesus, who knows he is about to be turned over to the authorities, scourged, beaten, insulted and hung on the cross, (that was just the physical pain not to mention the mental and spiritual turmoil he felt bearing the sins of all the world for all time.)What does He do? He hosts a dinner and served His boys. Peter explains this love as “whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ,” thus Peter established the reason Jesus did this act of service. Jesus knew He would draw strength from serving and draw strength from His brothers in Christ.
Jesus knew the storm was coming, and instead of being fearful about what He needed to do. He served his disciples by washing their feet and serving them a meal. Jesus also knew he needed His disciples to pray in the garden of Gethsemane. He asked for the support of His friends “Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *told His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” And He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”
Matthew 26:36-38 NASB2020
Jesus always sets the perfect example, In times of beauty, in times of fellowship and in times of utter distress and difficulties. Therefore, do as Jesus; joyfully serve, be among your brothers and sisters in Christ and ask for prayers and support so that we will have the strength to celebrate and endure the perfect and pleasing will of our Father in Heaven.
Lord we praise your Holy and perfect name. Give us the strength to endure, and the peace to celebrate; what you have brought us through, what you are bringing us through, and what you will help us endure in the future. Help us to lean on Christ’s example and the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen…
Shalom Shalom, Blessings and Press in and Press On.
Hosted by Chad McBeam
