GOODNEWSLETTER
Number 472 May 8, 2013
HAPPINESS
(In the LORD, of course)
"If you know these things, HAPPY are you if you do them," John 13:17 (New King James Version).
To the ordinary man, an explanation has to be given to catch the meaning of the lesson, here. But, that's okay; for, the LORD is giving us Spiritual understanding. He does this often, teaching the seriousness of His words. Otherwise, we'd miss it. Further, it's always good to refresh ourselves in His words following each act that He did. Every writing is an opportunity for Jesus to teach. Here, in the act of washing feet, we learn the wonderful things about serving one another. Are we GETTING it?
I need the explanation, too, or I know that I would miss the spiritual truth within each act. We are so fleshly, aren't we? So, carefully, we listen LORD. "If I then, your LORD and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet" (Jn. 13:14 NKJV). Without a doubt, all of of the disciples put a smile on their faces, take up a cloth and start washing all the Brethren's feet. Right? Amen! Peter was moved and, we should be, too. But, today everyone has shoes. Almost no one goes around without them, either. So, Jesus is giving us a clear SPIRITUAL LESSON. It's a teaching that we all talk about – this washing of feet; however, if we are to be Happy, we must learn the meaning by APPLICATION. This teaching deals with those who serve the LORD with others – our brothers and sisters - in the Local New Testament Church. All of them are precious to Jesus and, must be to us, as well.
When we serve in the church, we have to learn the meaning of foot washing. As Bullinger states in his Companion Bible: 'The act of FOOT-WASHING is put for the whole circle of offices of self-denying love.' Jesus explained it this way: "Verily, verily I say unto you, 'The servant is not greater than his LORD" (John 13:16). In the next verse, Jesus states, "...happy are ye if ye do them" (KJV). Come on! SMILE.
I learned this lesson many years ago. The smile is still there, too. I enjoy making the saints happy; even, putting up with their baby-like crying, at times. And, for one thing, a caring wife makes all the difference. Lavon, my dear wife, has always put people up and, put up with people during our ministry. That's a great thing; for it speaks to the words of Jesus. Being happy is a great feeling! When we obey His words, the LORD makes us HAPPY FOLKS !!!