Take off your shoes (2) Week 33, 2015

“I was so blessed by that word you shared on taking off one’s shoes.”

Oh thank God I hope you have been doing so.

“Actually I wanted to share with you some fresh insight on it...”

Something different?

“Yes. You shared on the need to take off our shoes when coming into God’s presence. It is also necessary to take off our shoes before saints and disciples.”

True. We need to trust each other...

“There is more than not needing to protect ourselves. Have you noticed what Jesus did and did not do in Jn 13:4-5(GNB)?  So he rose from the table, took off his outer garment, and tied a towel around his waist.  Then he poured some water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. ”

He washed their feet. What didn’t he do?

“He never took off their shoes for them. Everyone did that himself. We need to take off our shoes so that we can wash one another’s feet.”

Explain a bit more. How does that work out practically?

“Consider Jas 5:16(GNB) So then, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you will be healed. The prayer of a good person has a powerful effect. We need to obey this scripture by opening up and sharing what is happening in us so we can get help and be healed; not just physically but emotionally, and even financially. So many of us want to be macho and not allow people realise the struggles and turmoil we face.”

Thank you. The preceding verses tell us to call for the elders of the church. Are any among you sick? They should send for the church elders…Jas 5:14(GNB)  It goes well for baby Christians and new converts but how do we do this with mature men who have been in the race for a while? Whoever does this?

“Paul did. He opened up to his children in the faith, not only to elders in the church. My friends, I want you to know what a hard time we had in Asia. Our sufferings were so horrible and so unbearable that death seemed certain. In fact, we felt sure that we were going to die. 2Cor 1:8-9(CEV) 

In fact Tychicus seemed to have the task of explaining Paul’s situation to others. I want you to know how I am getting along and what I am doing. That's why I am sending Tychicus to you. He is a dear friend, as well as a faithful servant of the Lord. He will tell you how I am doing Eph 6:21(CEV)”

 I get the point. So how do I wash the feet when you have opened up to me? This openness must be to such faithful servants as Tychicus; don’t you agree?

“Oh, easy. Like the James passage says we should pray for one another. Paul also shared it so he could be prayed for among other things. Please help us by praying for us 2Cor 1:11(CEV). It releases much power when we thus pray for each other. Many a Christian have stumbled and become a casualty for closing up.”