Essential Connection to Christ’s Passion

Week Two

Day 1 - Different, But the Same:  1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Day 2 - Clean Feet:  John 13:1-11

Day 3 - Blood Brothers:  Matthew 26:26-30

Day 4 - Speaking Symbolically:  1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Day 5 - Forever Young:  Luke 22:24-30

Day 6 - The Freedom to Serve:  Galatians 5:13-15

Day 7 - Serve with Strength:  1 Peter 4:7-11

 

 

Day 1 - Different, But the Same:  1 Corinthians 12:4-11

My sister and I were raised in the same house by the same parents. We went to the same schools, played with the same toys, went to the same church. Mother used to make our clothes so we often had the same blouse or skirt. We were fed the same dinners and we watched the same television shows. However, the similarities end there. Everyone who knows us both would agree: we are as different as night and day.

–       I’m a talker; Carolyn is quiet.

–       I love to be with people; Carolyn prefers to be alone with a good book.

–       I get up early; Carolyn stays up late.

–       I like turtles; Carolyn likes puppies.

–       I like eating out; Carolyn loves to cook.

–       I’m married; Carolyn is single.

–       I like English; Carolyn loves math.

–       I’m a planner who likes to be in charge; Carolyn is content to “go with the flow.”

I know my mother is glad that God created us differently. She couldn’t have handled two of either one of us! But, beyond that, life would be boring if everybody was just alike. Even in the family of God, the diversity of personalities and talents expands the possibilities for ministry. God in His wisdom chose to give each Christian unique gifts to use in His service. Make it a priority to uncover your spiritual gifts, then commit to use your gifts through your church.

·          Real Choices - Evaluate your own skills. In what areas do you excel? How could you use these abilities to serve God through your church?

·          Pray - Dear Lord, thank You for equipping me with unique and useful gifts from the Spirit. Show me ways today to use my gifts for Your honor and glory.

 

Day 2 - Clean Feet:  John 13:1-11

It’s hard to imagine the feet of the disciples. These guys walked everywhere—no cars or planes or buses. The early followers of Christ never rode an escalator, never ran on a treadmill, and never walked on a paved street. Their shoes were simple sandals—no designer imprints, no ergonomically-perfect walking shoes. Their path was often one dusty (or muddy), rocky road leading to another dusty (or muddy), rocky road. No doubt, their feet were dirty, tired, and smelly!

It was customary for a servant to wash the feet of guests in the house. As the disciples observed the Passover meal, think how surprised they must have been when Jesus began to wash their feet! What a humbling act of service! Their Master lovingly modeled a servant’s spirit to them.

·          Real Choices - Is this an example that you’re willing to follow?

·          Pray - Father, I don’t always feel like being a servant. Help me change my attitude to be more like Yours.

 

 

Day 3 - Blood Brothers:  Matthew 26:26-30

Blood is powerful stuff. I’m no expert, but I do know that blood is a life-giving force as it flows through the body. Each component of blood—the red blood cells and white blood cells, the plasma, the platelets—has its own special function to keep you alive and healthy.

Even in the Bible, blood is powerful. The saints of the Old Testament were forgiven through the blood of sacrifices. In the New Testament, Jesus is the sacrifice. Is it any wonder that Jesus’ blood plays such a significant role in our salvation? His sacrifice on the cross, His gift of life-giving blood, is our assurance of cleansing.

The covenant that He made with His disciples at this celebration of Passover was a symbol of His love. It’s an overwhelming thought to be “blood brothers” with Jesus Christ Himself. But that’s exactly what happens when we accept Jesus’ sacrificial gift. We have life!

·          Pray - Lord, I am in awe of how much You love me. Thank You for forgiving my sins and for living in me. I love You!

 

Day 4 - Speaking Symbolically:  1 Corinthians 11:23-26

When our daughter Stephanie was just a preschooler, she went to church with my parents while I was recovering from the birth of her little sister. Instead of taking Stephanie to her class, her grandparents kept her in the worship service with them. When Stephanie came home, I naturally asked her what she had done, “Well,” she said, “we had the Lord’s Supper, but He didn’t come!” In her own two-year-old way, she couldn’t understand why we would have a supper for someone, and the guest of honor wouldn’t show up!

What Stephanie didn’t realize (and what we Christians tend to forget sometimes) is when we celebrate the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, we do it for us, not for Him. We do it to remember what He did for us. Just like when we celebrate a birthday or an anniversary, we use the occasion as a time to remember. In today’s passage, Paul was reminding the Corinthian church of the true meaning of this special celebration in the life of the church.

Paul also pointed out that our celebration was a testimony to the world. A testimony is an affirmation or a declaration of a truth that we know to be fact. The fact is Jesus gave up His life so we could live forever! The bread, the cup, and the entire service are a testimony of His amazing love for us.

What better reason to celebrate?

·          Real Choices - Who was instrumental in introducing you to Jesus? Find an opportunity to thank that person or those people. Let them know what a difference knowing Jesus has made for you.

·          Pray - Lord, help me look at the celebration of the Lord’s Supper with new insight. Remind me that Your sacrifice was meant for me, personally.

 

Day 5 - Forever Young:  Luke 22:24-30

Have you ever watched reruns of “The Waltons?” This unique family included 11 people: Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, and seven children! When they all sat down to supper (yes, they did eat together!), it was quite a sight. The baby of the family was Elizabeth. She was sometimes overshadowed by all the older children and adults at the table, but she was special. You could tell by the way Mom and Dad treated her. I’m the baby of my family, too, and I know that the youngest may get overlooked or pushed around.

But they also get some special attention.

Being young is a good thing. You may not always agree with that statement, but the media wants us to believe that acting young, looking young, and staying young are important. If you visit the cosmetic section at any major department store, you’ll find a multitude of creams, lotions, and potions to make wrinkles disappear, to make blemishes vanish, and to “restore that youthful glow” to tired-looking skin. Fashion models, television stars, and popular musicians are younger now than ever.

Young is desirable. Young is glamorous. Young is good.

Today’s passage in Luke seems to agree. However, being young had a totally different meaning in Jesus’ day. The youngest was the one who ranked the lowest. To be the greatest, Jesus said, we should assume the role of the least. What a novel idea!

·          Real Choices - Demonstrate a servant’s spirit today by helping an elderly or homebound person in your neighborhood. Run an errand, mow their lawn, or just sit and visit.

·          Pray - Lord, keep reminding me how to be a better servant. Forgive me when I want recognition more than I want to serve.

 

Day 6 - The Freedom to Serve:  Galatians 5:13-15

What kind of responsibilities do you have at home? Place a check mark by the chores you do regularly; put an x by the ones you only do when you’re told:

______ take out the trash

______ mow the yard

______ make the bed

______ babysit younger siblings

______ clean the bedroom

______ dust

______ cook dinner

______ vacuum

______ clean the kitchen

______ laundry

______ clean the bathroom

______ load the dishwasher

Why do you do these things? Because your parents insist? Because you want to? Because you get paid? Or because it’s your job?

Speaking as a parent, I wanted my girls to pitch in because we were a family, and when everyone contributed, the load was lighter for all of us. Do you know how much easier it is to make the bed when two people help? Or how much faster the time passes when one person dusts and the other one vacuums? Taking your share of the responsibility makes perfect sense—when it’s done in love.

That’s how it is in God’s family, too. Because we care about one another, because we want to make life easier for each other, we “serve one another in love.” Service is not a chore; it’s a privilege. Paul, the writer of Galatians, challenged us to use our freedom to serve others.

Freedom is a privilege. Serving is too. Just like sharing the responsibilities at home, serving others makes life better for the server and the served!

·          Real Choices - As you think about the people you will encounter today, be sensitive to opportunities to serve. Even small acts of kindness and compassion can make a big difference in someone’s life.

·          Pray - Father, open my eyes to the opportunities for service today. Show me ways to honor You by loving others enough to serve.

 

Day 7 - Serve with Strength:  1 Peter 4:7-11

Going out to dinner can be a wonderful experience—or not! Of course, the food has to be good, but a lot of how we judge our dinner depends on the server. When I eat at a nice restaurant, I expect quality service. . . .

–       I want a friendly server.

–       I want prompt service.

–       I want a detailed explanation of the specials on the menu.

–       I want an attentive server.

–       I want someone who anticipates my needs.

–       I don’t want to run out of iced tea.

–       I want to be treated with courtesy.

So, am I being unreasonable? I don’t think so! In fact, I believe the service is a direct reflection of the restaurant itself. It’s only natural to expect quality service from someone in the service industry.

We Christians are in the service industry, too, you know. How we serve others is a reflection of whom we serve. Peter reminded us in today’s Scripture verses that serving others should be a joy. Many of the qualities I want in a waiter or waitress are the qualities that others should see in me as a servant of God: friendly, prompt, attentive to details, courteous, anticipating needs.

I’ve got room for improvement in my service! What about you?

·          Real Choices - Who can you serve today? What special strength will it take for you to serve? How will God be glorified or praised through your service?

·          Pray - Lord, more than anything, I want to be Your servant. Thank You for giving me the strength and the willingness to serve. Show me how to communicate Your grace today as I serve others.