John 13:3-5,13-17

John 13:3-5,13-17 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. During Bible times it was the job of the lowest slave in the household to wash the feet of the arriving guests. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet to show them an example. He wanted them to serve one another. If Jesus served His disciples, we should serve one another as well.

John 12:44-46

John 12:44-46 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me. And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. Jesus came to Mary and Martha and Lazarus’ house for a banquet. Mary Magdalene came with costly perfume and poured it on Jesus. Judas grumbled that the costly perfume should hav been sold because he wanted the money for himself. But Jesus appreciated what Mary had done. Jesus knew that He would soon be executed. He would die for the sins of the world. He was once again reminding everyone that He was from His Father. They were one. If you saw the Son, you saw the Father. If you obeyed the Son, you obeyed the Father. Jesus was come into the world to give us all life – eternal life!

John 11:39,41-44

John 11:39, 41-44 Jesus said, Take ye away the stone ... Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me. And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. This is the powerful ending of the story of Lazarus. Jesus had explained to Mary and Martha that their brother would live again. They knew that he would live again at the end of time – at the resurrection - but Jesus was talking about right then! He was going to raise their brother from the dead right then! The sisters had wrapped Lazarus’ body with linen strips like a mummy. They had a separate cloth wrapping around his face. When Jesus called to him, Lazarus came out of the grave on his own. He might have hopped out all wrapped up or he might have floated out, but he came out! Everyone was so amazed that they just stood there with their mouths hanging open! They couldn’t move. They couldn’t believe their eyes! Jesus had to break the spell and tell them to take away those grave wrappings and let Lazarus go. He was truly alive! They just had to let him out! But even after such a miracle, some still didn’t believe in Jesus as the Son of God. Sadly to say, that is how it is today. Some will believe and some will not. We should pray that everyone will believe the good news of salvation.

John 11:25,26

John 11:25,26 Jesus said unto her (Martha), I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? Jesus was at the home of Mary and Martha, who were grieving over their dead brother, Lazarus. Jesus loved them and loved Lazarus too. He reminded them that they could trust him. Jesus didn’t have the secret to everlasting life; He was the secret to everlasting life! if you have Jesus, you have everlasting life! I am glad that I know Jesus and to know Him is to have life everlasting!

John 11:14,15

John 11:14,15 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Jesus had three good friends who lived near Jerusalem. There were two sisters, Mary and Martha and their brother, Lazarus.  Whenever Jesus traveled from Galilee, where He lived, to Jerusalem, the capital city, He stayed with them. But when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He just hung around for three days. Why did He do that? Why didn’t Jesus rush down to Bethany, where Lazarus lived? But then the word came that Lazarus was dead. But Jesus said something unusual: He told His disciples that He was glad that Lazarus had died! How rude! But Jesus was never rude. He knew exactly what He was doing – and what He was going to do. You will remember from the blind man, whom Jesus healed, that in order to heal a blind person, someone must be blind. So, in order for Jesus to show His power to His disciples, He had to let Lazarus die so that He could raise Lazarus from the dead. The disciples were upset; Mary and Martha were upset; and all of their friends were upset. Only Jesus knew what He was going to do and why He was doing it. Jesus always knows what is best, and He knows what he is doing. Even when we do not understand, we should trust Jesus.

Matthew 2:11

Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. The Wise men from the East were probably Persian scholars who saw the Christmas star and came to see this new-born King. Since they had traveled some distance, Mary and Joseph were probably back home in Nazareth. We don’t know how many wise men there were, but our verse says that they brought three gifts. Gold is valuable, and Frankincense was a costly spice, but myrrh is interesting. Myrrh was used in ancient days to embalm a dead body. What a curious gift for a little baby! But myrrh shows us that the purpose that Jesus came to earth was to die for our sins and to make a way for us to spend eternity with Him in heaven! Even at His birth, we are reminded of Jesus’ death. God the Father gave us a wonderful gift at this first Christmas and Jesus the Son gave us the gift of salvation. Let’s thank Him for His love and sacrifice!