By Pastor Alex Ruelo
Who was happy with how 2023 turned out to be? Who is looking forward to 2024? There is another year ahead for us to work on. It might be scary but be confident that God will always be there. When you learn how to count your blessings daily and write them down, you will see how totally blessed you are.
John 13:1 says, ”Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.“ This was about the time when Jesus knew His time had come and He was about to leave the world. His mission had come to an end and it was about this time when He was going to be betrayed. Life on earth is not forever. And serving God has to be your utmost goal. The next verses say, ”Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.“ Jesus knew His purpose on earth. But because he has 100% God and also 100% man, He felt all the emotions that you would have felt if you knew you were about to die.
What on earth are you here for? Have you asked yourself that question? Jesus knew what His purpose is. What’s yours?
1. Jesus served them. - Jesus washed His disciples feet. He did not just serve them. He served them well. While others are highlighted in their service, many work behind the scenes. Philippians 2:5-8 says, ”You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.“ In the kingdom of God, the leaders are the servants.
2. Jesus loved them. - John 10:10-12 says, ”The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock.“ Jesus will never leave you. Never. He loeves you and He will always be ther. He sacrificed His life for you. What else could He not do?
3. Jesus obeyed the Father. - Luke 22:42 says, ”“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”“ May your prayer be to always do the will of God and not just your will. People always want to do what they want. But you cannot always do what you want. The world tells you to just do it but you need direction and discipline. You need to learn how to liseten and obey the Father. Ask Him to make you better this year.
Don’t waste time. John 13:1 says, ”Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end.“ You have a timeline here on earth. You cannot always serve. The enemy will tell you to do things tomorrow but you might not have that leisure anymore. Do what you can today.
Stay focused. John 13:6-9 says, ”When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!”“ Jesus knew He had to serve and He did not lose His focus. If what you are doing is not part of your mission and vision, do not do it. Have goals and things to do and stay on track.
Walk with Jesus. John 13:8 says, ”“No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”“ If you want to belong to Jesus, walk with Him. Christians confuse working and walking with Jesus to be the same. They keep on working for Jesus but forget to walk with Jesus. Do not let your work take away your time for holiness. Make sure you are still walking with Jesus while you are working for Him. Working for Him is an overflow of your walk with Him.
Accept the challenges. John 13:13-17 says, ”You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.“ If you start counting your blessings, you will realize how blessed you really are. Be excited for what will happen in 2024. One year fro now, you will look back and say, “Wow! I am so blessed!”