Letters From Grandpa #99

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 99

Dearest Grandchild,

Today’s letter will deal with the familiar story of Jesus washing His disciple’s feet. As you know, this happened on the night before Calvary. While the disciples were arguing among themselves as to who was the greatest, Jesus put water in a basin and washed their feet. This was a lowly task usually performed by servants. Everyone saw the basin and towel. Everyone knew that this common courtesy had not been observed. Everyone but Jesus, however, felt they were too good to stoop to such a lowly task.

Jesus, however, willingly performed washed their feet. Before doing so, however, John informs us why Jesus was able to do such a humble thing. It was because Jesus was confident about Who He was. Note:

“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 . . .” (John 13:3-5)

Jesus was willing to perform this lowly task because He knew Who He was, where He came from, and where He was going.

The fact that Jesus was confident about Who He was is key to everything He did. For example, later that night when the soldiers came to arrest Him, Peter drew his sword and began to fight. Jesus calmly told Peter to put away his sword, because Jesus knew that 12 legions of angels were ready to deliver Him if He chose to call them.

The next morning Jesus stood before Pilate without fear because He knew who He was. Of course Jesus knew He was a king far more powerful than Pilate. The Kingdom of Christ, however, was not of this world. But the point is, what Jesus “knew” enabled Him to remain above this mundane world of temporal things. Pilate was proud of his position, but Jesus knew that Pialte would have no power at all if it were not given to him from above.

When the devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness, note how he tried to attack the identity of Christ. “If” you are the Son of God, the devil said, then command that these stones be turned into bread (Matt. 4:3). Jesus, of course, didn’t budge because He knew Who He was, where He came from, and where He was going.

Joseph , with the coat of many colors, was one of the most godly men who ever lived. As a young man God have him dreams indicating that some day he would be a powerful ruler. When he shared these dreams with his brothers, they became so jealous that they sold him as a slave into Egypt. In Egypt Joseph was falsely accused and unjustly put in prison. Please note, however, that Joseph never lost sight of who he was, where he came from and where he was going. That’s why

when he finally got his chance to stand before the Pharaoh he was perfectly at ease. Joseph knew who he was! Joseph knew that he didn’t belong in prison. Joseph was completely secure in his own identity. Joseph firmly believed that he was going be a powerful ruler, and what he believed about himself was a giant step in making those dreams come true.

What do you believe about yourself?

Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because his he "lacked imagination and had no good ideas." Steven Spielberg was rejected many times by the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts. Colonel Harland Sanders was fired from dozens of jobs before striking it rich with KFC. Thomas Edison dropped out of school after the 3rd grade because his teachers said he was "too stupid to learn anything." Vincent Van Gogh only sold only one painting during his life time. Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, had his first book rejected by 27 different publishers. All of these “successes” refused to let their critics define their identity. No matter what anyone else said - they still knew who they were and where they were going.

What you believe about your self is more important than what anybody else believes about you!

Someone has said that if you truly believe God wants you to do great things tomorrow, you can do humble things today just as if they were the great things you dream about!

Jesus did not let His critics define Him. Don’t let your critics define you!

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce