{"id":69394,"date":"2024-03-19T09:17:41","date_gmt":"2024-03-19T09:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/?p=69394"},"modified":"2024-03-19T09:17:41","modified_gmt":"2024-03-19T09:17:41","slug":"wasted-waters","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/?p=69394","title":{"rendered":"Wasted waters"},"content":{"rendered":"

By The Preacher<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. Not all Clean<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes we waste precious waters washing the feet of folks whose hearts are already sold.\u00a0 The cleaning power is not all in the water or in the washer.\u00a0 Holy motions become mere rituals when hearts are far from acts.<\/span><\/p>\n

In the closing moments of His ministry on earth, Jesus stooped to wash the feet of His disciples.\u00a0 At the end of that precious process, this was His solemn announcement: _\u201cye are clean, but not all.\u201d As if it had not been said clearly enough, it is repeated in the next verse: \u201cYe are not all clean\u201d (John 13:10, 11).<\/span><\/p>\n

They had all been washed, were all wet and dried, all physically clean in their feet, yet what had worked for Peter and the other disciples had not worked for Judas in the same service, under the same unction.\u00a0 The \u2018impartation\u2019 that had so thoroughly cleaned Peter had failed to be effective on Judas.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 The heart.\u00a0 It had been wasted waters on the feet of hardened Judas, but waters which were nonetheless going to stand someday as the eternal witness of profound love refused (Matthew 26:24).<\/span><\/p>\n

2. From Thoughts to Acts<\/span><\/p>\n

The rituals matter little where the heart is out of order.\u00a0 Sometimes we waste waters on the felt feet of folks whose hidden heart is unclean. No matter how they are washed, even Jesus cannot clean some folks who have wilfully let Satan into their soul.\u00a0 We read of Judas, first how he opened his heart to the evils of the devil (John 13:2), and next how the very devil himself whose thoughts he had been housing stepped into the heart pre-furnished for him by the evil thoughts allowed (v.27): \u201cthe devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him \u2026 Satan entered into him\u201d (John 13:2, 27; 1 Samuel 18:8-10).\u00a0 First, the devil thoughts; next, the devil himself.\u00a0 Whoever hosts Satan\u2019s thoughts against you may sooner host the very Satan against you \u2013 to your regrettable Golgotha.\u00a0 Dark thoughts unchecked lead to acts regretted (Proverbs 4:23).<\/span><\/p>\n

Judas had not yet done the deed when Jesus said he was not cleaned.\u00a0 The betrayal was still a plot in the heart, yet Jesus said he was not clean \u2013 or could not be cleaned.\u00a0 Judas was unclean not from what he had done with his hands but from what he had allowed in his heart.\u00a0 Thoughts defile no less than acts (Matthew 15:18-20).\u00a0 His body was washed but his soul remained unreached and unclean (John 13:10, 11).\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

3. Untouched by Tenderness<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus gave Judas all the chance to voluntarily rescind his evil, confess and be saved, but he seemed determined on his dark path.\u00a0 Jesus washed his feet.\u00a0 That was a touch of tenderness on feet that were soon to walk away to betray Him and walk Judas himself into his doom.\u00a0 It was tender love in contrast to the wickedness seething in Judas\u2019 heart against his loving Washer.\u00a0 It was love strong enough to melt a proper conscience.\u00a0 Somebody else might have shuddered and said, \u201cHow can I proceed with such evil against an innocent man who has always done me so much good!\u201d\u00a0 Not that Judas on that day.<\/span><\/p>\n

I am sure that Jesus looked into the eyes of Judas while He washed his dirty feet.\u00a0 Did Judas look away nervously?\u00a0 Did he with steeled eyes look blankly past the face of the Master, with the bloody coins guiltily clanging in his roguish bag?\u00a0\u00a0 Did so much tenderness touch that disciple, who also was empowered by the Master and sent out to cast out devils (Matthew 10:1)?<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus proceeded to say, after washing their feet, _\u201cye are clean, but not all\u201d (v.10).\u00a0 If nobody else understood what that meant, Judas did.\u00a0 Still, he hardened his heart.\u00a0 Then Jesus went on to preach His profound message of loving one another as a sign of true discipleship.\u00a0 Even that farewell sermon on love wouldn\u2019t move that man with Satan\u2019s foothold in his heart.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

4. Proximate Devils<\/span><\/p>\n

After all the discreet entreaties had failed to persuade Judas to repent voluntarily, Jesus proceeded to announce plainly: \u201cone of you shall betray me\u201d (John 13:21).\u00a0 If anything before had not made sense, Judas would have known at that point that he had been caught.\u00a0 Still, he hardened his heart, the heart to which he had let in the devilish thoughts.\u00a0 The disciples wondered of whom Jesus could be speaking; who of them was capable of such devilry against such a loving Master.\u00a0 Judas also joined to ask, \u201cIs it I?\u201d when he knew that he was the one (Matthew 26:25).\u00a0 He played along.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the anxiety mounted, Peter, sitting far off, motioned to John who was next to Jesus at the dinner table, nudging him to ask the Master of whom He spoke.\u00a0 John whispered into the ears of Jesus, \u201cWho\u2019s it, Sir?\u201d Jesus said back to John, certainly in a whisper too, \u201cThe betrayer is he to whom I shall presently serve the sop, after dipping it.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 While John still watched, Jesus dipped the sop and served Judas something to eat.\u00a0 The Master serving a disciple?\u00a0 That was show of exceptional care, but even that couldn\u2019t melt the hardened heart of Judas (vv. 22-26). <\/span><\/p>\n

That Jesus could so serve Judas with the sop suggests that Judas might have been sitting next to Jesus, or was very close.\u00a0 At least, closer than Peter.\u00a0 John on one side of Jesus and Judas the Treasurer on the other.\u00a0 Judas drew so close not because he loved the Master, but because he wanted to spy on Him, to hear every word that He would speak, so as to report properly back to his clients \u2013 the murderous Pharisees. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not everyone who draws close to you does so out of devotion.\u00a0 Some will do so for their advantage.\u00a0 Not every intentionally proximate person is a friend.\u00a0 Some are devils.\u00a0 Discern your proximities.<\/span><\/p>\n

5. The Discreet Master<\/span><\/p>\n

Why did Jesus not confront Judas to his impudent face, instead of speaking indirectly by so many means?\u00a0 Judas\u2019 mind seemed so made up that even outright confrontation might not have changed the resolution.\u00a0 In fact, a confrontation might have resulted in a blowout, with dedicated disciples like Peter cutting off the head of Judas before he had the chance for another betrayal. That was certainly not what Jesus wanted.\u00a0 Besides, it would be to Judas\u2019 penitent credit if he voluntarily owned up and sought help.\u00a0 Judas seemed determined not to hear. All the same, he was going to be offered the chance to repent, many chances to repent (Revelation 2:21), but all of which he was sadly to refuse, to his doom.\u00a0 At least the Master had done His part.\u00a0 Mercy was offered but was refused.<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, as if in resignation, Jesus said, \u201cLet this one alone.\u00a0 You cannot change his type.\u201d\u00a0 Then, apparently turning to Judas, He said in effect, \u201cThat thing you want to do, which you seem so bent on doing, which no sermon and tender touch and loving gaze from Me has been able to deter you from, go ahead and do it.\u00a0 Since you have made up your mind so firmly, fine. I am ready, too.\u201d\u00a0 The message was coded.\u00a0 The others at the table presumed that Jesus was sending Judas the treasurer to go buy something for the evening service or give charities to the poor (vv. 21-28).\u00a0 Judas understood.\u00a0 Rather than then cry out for help, he left promptly, before Jesus would let the cat out of the bag to the other disciples, or before Jesus should get out of reach and his 30 pieces of silver deal would have flopped.\u00a0 That was not the first time Judas was to walk out on Jesus and the rest of the disciples.\u00a0 The most recent instance was during a service in the house of Mary and Martha.\u00a0 See Matthew 26:6-16; note especially verses 14-16:\u00a0<\/span>\u201cThen\u2026 from that time\u2026.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

6. The Journey into Darkness<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Judas\u00a0<\/span>\u201cwent\u00a0<\/i><\/span>immediately<\/b><\/i><\/span>\u00a0out: and it was night\u201d<\/i><\/span>\u00a0(v.30).\u00a0 He walked out from the light of the Master\u2019s blessed presence into night; into a darkness from which he was never to recover.\u00a0 Jesus had been so respectfully discreet in handling Judas\u2019 backsliding that even after Judas had stepped out to meet his bloody clients, Jesus did not call him out as the would-be betrayer (v.31). Exceptional leadership. \u00a0If it had been me, that is when I would have let not just the cat but the elephants out of the bag, and Judas would have been to blame for whatever happened to him thereafter from the rest of my faithful fans.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesus would seem to have wasted His water on the stubborn feet of a man whose heart had been made up for the devil.\u00a0 But they were not wasted waters, because Someday they would be the witness of the Master\u2019s persistent love that Judas resolutely resisted, to his doom.\u00a0 In his life was fulfilled the prophetic warning of Solomon: \u201c<\/span>He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall\u00a0<\/i><\/span>suddenly be destroyed<\/b><\/i><\/span>, and that without remedy\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/span>(Proverbs 29:1).<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Many Rivers to Cross<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Altogether, there were four things that Jesus did to draw Judas\u2019 attention to his error and rescue his soul.\u00a0 Firstly, Jesus washed his feet \u2013 the touch of tenderness.\u00a0 Secondly, He revealed plainly that someone in the team had an evil plan against Him. So, in case the wordless touch had not made sense, He added\u00a0<\/span>voice<\/b><\/span>\u00a0to His message.\u00a0 Thirdly, He personally served Judas a meal \u2013 initiating a connection, a call. Finally, He preached a message on love for one another.\u00a0 After all those four efforts had failed (to say nothing of the loving look into Judas\u2019 evil eyes), Jesus seemed to have surrendered, and said, \u201cYou may go ahead with your plot.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

That final cryptic nudge could have stopped someone who was willing to be helped, but Judas seemed long gone.\u00a0 How do you help somebody who does not want your prayers?\u00a0 How do you rescue someone suicidally determined to drown?\u00a0 What does the Scripture say?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u201cIf ye be\u00a0<\/i><\/span>willing and obedient<\/b><\/i><\/span>, ye shall eat the good of the land\u201d<\/i><\/span>\u00a0(Isaiah 1:19). \u00a0 Judas was unwilling and disobedient.<\/span><\/p>\n

Humanity has often blamed the Master for not doing enough to save Judas, as He seemed to have done for Peter.\u00a0 From this story, you may agree with me that Jesus tried His best, throwing out several lifelines, but which Judas was sadly unwilling to catch.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 Maybe because the betrayal was going to be his determined revenge against Jesus for the \u2018embarrassment\u2019 received in the house of Mary, and the expensive perfume that Jesus had frustrated him from stealing then for his greedy purpose (John 12:6). Maybe the thirty pieces of silver were going to be his cherished compensation for what Jesus had made him to lose recently at that last service. (See John 12:1-6 and Mark 14:1-10; note especially verse 10 of Mark 14 for the conclusion to the episode, and what led to Judas walking out on Jesus and the other disciples during that service.)<\/span><\/p>\n

If Judas had thought badly of Jesus, he was to regret it later and confess that he had betrayed\u00a0<\/span>\u201cinnocent blood\u201d<\/i><\/span>\u00a0(Matthew 27:4).\u00a0 At least he himself vindicated the Master at last.<\/span><\/p>\n

Usually, someone does not fall into such perditions until they have obstinately crossed the many rivers of restraint that God would often mercifully put in their way.\u00a0 Remember Prophet Balaam (Numbers 22-24). \u00a0Also, Pharaoh and his hosts did not ultimately drown in the Red Sea until he had persistently refused the cautioning voice of ten previous plagues.\u00a0 \u00a0\u201c<\/span>He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/span>\u2013 you can complete the rest \u2026 (Proverbs 29:1). God does not destroy anyone before they have been warned, whatever might be the nature of the warning (Daniel 4:1-9; Jonah 1:2).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 A Prayer<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

O Lord, \u201c<\/span>sanctify and cleanse\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/span>me \u201c<\/span>with the washing of water by the word\u201d\u00a0<\/i><\/span>(Ephesians 5:26).\u00a0 May Your water never be wasted on me.\u00a0 Amen.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u25cf<\/span>The Preacher can be reached ar +2348035115164; <\/span>info@thepreacher.info;\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>
\n https:\/\/thepreacherdiary.com\/<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By The Preacher 1. Not all Clean Sometimes we waste precious waters washing the feet of folks whose hearts are already sold.\u00a0 The cleaning power is not all in the water or in the washer.\u00a0 Holy motions become mere rituals when hearts are far from acts. In the closing moments of His ministry on earth, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5772,5777],"tags":[2138,5447,6577],"class_list":["post-69394","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-faith","category-features","tag-wasted","tag-judas","tag-waters"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69394","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=69394"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69394\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=69394"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=69394"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/everyday.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=69394"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}