Exposed!

John 13:3-4

3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

My son struggled with a cold one evening. He sneezed, cried, and demanded attention throughout the night. The next morning, I struggled to get him prepared for school. He was tired, I was exhausted, and we both had somewhere to be. Eventually we loaded the car and headed to our first stop.

We arrive at a stoplight and I glance over my right shoulder to check on him. He was sitting feebly in his car seat with tears welled up in his eyes. His face was covered in mucus.  He had sneezed and then tried to wipe his nose with his hands, rubbing mucus all over his face while I wasn’t looking.

I looked feverishly for a napkin, tissue, or some sort of soft material, to wipe his nose. Nothing. In desperation to clean my son up, I removed my shirt, wrapped a portion of the shirt around my hand, and proceeded to clean his face and nose. I wasn’t worried about who was looking into my car – my concern was cleaning my son’s face.

It was just enough to bring somewhat of a grin to my son’s face. Here was his dad in traffic half naked and doing anything to clean him up and make him smile.

Reaching back to the moment Jesus was with his disciples at the last supper is a great correlation. Before Jesus served them supper, He removed his outer garment, placed a towel around his waist and washed their feet. This was His ultimate act of service before the cross. He removed his garments, washed their feet, and then dried them with the towel he was wearing.

Before Jesus went to the cross, the bible says they removed his clothes leaving him exposed before the onlookers. But in that exposed state He was more concerned with the sins of humanity than his physical appearance.

In 1 John 1:9 we learn that “ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Jesus wants to clean you up. He sees your tears and the mess that you are covered in – let Him cleanse you and place a smile back on your face. He has exposed himself for you and his main concern is you.

Pick your friends like you pick your nose! Very Carefully!

Picky Picky!

1 Samuel 16:11

So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

My favorite professional football team, The Houston Texans, recently selected a player that wasn’t in the line up.

Elliot Coffey, a Sugar Land native, star player for the Baylor Bears, and current employee with Enterprise Rent a Car got the call when he wasn’t even on the field. After playing for Baylor, then going undrafted in 2012 and signing as a free agent to the Denver Broncos he had no playtime last year. He returned to Houston and went to work. I believe that in the back of his mind He knew he had a gift; he just needed the right people to recognize it. According to an article in the Houston Chronicle, Coffey was cleaning a car and preparing it for a customer when his agent called and said he had five days to get ready.  The first Texans preseason game had already taken place and many of the player selections had already begun but the story was not over for Coffey. Now he is a linebacker in his home city in front of those who saw him cleaning cars.

David, the great giant slayer has a similar story. When God sent Samuel to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king, Jesse brought out seven of his prized boys. David was still in the field working. David's own father didn't even consider him worthy of the anointing. God told Samuel that none of Jesse’s selections, despite size, stature, or strength were the one. God knew there was one more – the least expected. David is called forth and Samuel immediately knows that David is the one. He was the last one called and the least likely to get the position but God’s choices are not predictable.

I am encouraging you to take these two real stories and apply them to your life. David was not asleep when he got the call. Coffey was not at home or in the streets when he got the call. David wasn’t practicing being a king and Coffey wasn’t knocking over foam players. Nevertheless they were busy and every work we do can be applied to where we are going. (Romans 8:28) 

Maybe you feel like the last one left and everyone else appear more qualified for the position. God said, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) You are pre-qualified, hand crafted, and the perfect choice. Remain humble, keep working, and when you get the call – go get your blessing!