By Carey Nieuwhof, Teaching Pastor
If you had ultimate power, what would you do with it?
My guess is you would change some things you’ve always wanted to change, likely for you and for others you’re close to. But then what?
Interestingly enough, when people become powerful in this world (think business leaders, politicians and even famous people), they often mostly use their power to benefit themselves.
Some people think God must operate that way too.
Which is why it’s so refreshing to see that God doesn’t.
This is the first part in a short, daily devotional series that will take us to Easter Sunday 2016…just 5 days away. In John 13, we find Jesus getting ready to leave this earth. He’s sitting down with his disciples for their last supper together.
Look at the choice Jesus faced:
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God…(verse 3)
In other words, Jesus was in a position no other person who ever walked the earth was in. He had ultimate power.
But look at how he exercised that power:
Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. (Verses 3-5)
Did you see that?
Jesus loved and served the very people who were going to desert and even betray him.
Think about it.
God, who has ultimate power,
uses his power to love us
uses his power to forgive us
uses his power to save us
That’s the power of Jesus’ life, his death on the cross (which we’ll remember together on Friday) and his resurrection (which we’ll celebrate together on Sunday).
No matter how deep your rebellion, God’s love for you runs deeper.
[bctt tweet=”No matter how deep your rebellion, God’s love for you runs deeper. ” via=”no”]
Today, as you prepare your heart for Good Friday and Easter Sunday, take time to thank God for the reality that though he has ultimate power, he uses that power to love and forgive you.
Prayer: Thank you Lord Jesus that you used your power to love me when I didn’t love you, to be faithful to me when I turned my back on you, and to forgive me when I sinned against you. May your love flow through me. In Jesus name, Amen.
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Join us at Connexus for Good Friday services at 9:00 and 10:30 at our locations in Barrie and Orillia and for Easter Sunday services at 9:00 and 10:30 at our locations in Barrie and Orillia. You can get more information, including directions, here.
If you’re out of town, you can join us Easter Sunday at 9 and 10:30 a.m. for Connexus Live Online. Click here to watch the live stream Easter Sunday morning.