Author: Brian Burdett

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” – John 16:7

What a remarkable statement! On the night before His death, Jesus explained to His disciples that it was to their advantage that He die, rise, and ascend to Heaven while they remained on earth. How could that possibly be true? What could be better than having Jesus walking with them and teaching them every day???

Having His Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God living in them, empowering them, transforming them, teaching them, and correcting them whenever they need it!!! According to the Lord, Himself, having the Spirit of Christ giving you the power to do the work of Jesus is even more valuable than having His physical presence with you.

Remember this truth, and treasure it, because the Helper lives in you if Jesus is your Lord! The moment you believe and entrust your life to Jesus, you were sealed and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Jesus has sent Him to you! This is an incredible reality that should transform your life completely over time! The question is whether you’re tapping into that power and enjoying the advantage of having the Helper? Are you living a Spirit-filled and led life? Do you truly #FollowJesus?

“Then I said to them, ‘If it seems good to you, give me my wages; but if not, keep them.’ And they weighed out as my wages thirty pieces of silver.” – Zechariah 11:12

As Christmas Eve dawns and we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, this verse reminds us of the price that had already been placed on His life centuries earlier – the rather ordinary sum of 30 pieces of silver. That babe in the manger, the Lamb of God, God’s precious gift of salvation grew up to be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. Wise men searched for Jesus to give Him precious gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And yet, one of His disciples would sell Him out for a mere 30 pieces of silver.

At Christmas, God the Son came to us in flesh. He lived a perfect, sinless life full of extraordinary teaching and miracles. Then He went to the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, sent there by the powers of the world who paid just 30 pieces of silver for the opportunity. As you prepare to make much of Jesus today and tomorrow, take time to meditate on His infinite worth and glory. But don’t forget to consider the paltry sum for which He was betrayed. The eternal Son and King of Kings was born into humble circumstances in Bethlehem and was betrayed for a humble price in the end. And yet, it wasn’t the end. Today, Jesus reigns over the universe in glory and one day, perhaps soon, He will return to make all things new. #FollowJesus

“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, ‘Do you understand what I have done to you?'” – John 13:12

Can you even begin to imagine what it must have been like for Jesus to wash the dusty feet of His followers? Some who were enthusiastic but headstrong and foolish… Some who loved Him but struggled with pride and the desire for power… Some who heard Him for years but never really “got” His message… Some who’d seen Him do great things but remained timid and fearful… One who would soon betray Him to His death… Jesus knew all these things about the men whose feet He washed. He washed them anyway. Because of His love, His grace, His purpose. To teach and set an eternal example.

If Jesus is your Lord, then He has washed you as well. Not your feet but every aspect of your soul. With His lifeblood. Even though you may (still) be very similar to those disciples. Headstrong or foolish, prideful or seeking power, hearing but never really “getting”, fearful, or sinful and betraying Jesus once more. We aren’t different from the disciples. Not in this regard. And yet, Jesus washed us clean anyway as well. Because of His love, His grace, His purpose. To teach and set an eternal example.

Whose feet are you being called to wash (probably figuratively)? Whom will you serve, even though they may be headstrong or foolish, prideful or seeking power, listening but never really “getting” it, fearful, sinful, or even traitorous. What difficult person are you called to love and serve because Jesus has loved and served you? To whom will you show grace they don’t deserve because that’s what the word grace means? Where will you #FollowJesus?

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
– Zechariah 9:9

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, let us also remember why He entered into our world as that baby. Christ stepped out of eternal glory and into a genuinely humble situation in Bethlehem, wrapped in cloths and sleeping in an animal’s food trough. In doing this, Jesus fulfilled ancient prophecies about the birth of a child Who was also King in Bethlehem.

Years later, the King rode into Jerusalem as God promised through Zechariah. Jesus was indeed humble and mounted on a donkey. The crowds shouted with joy though they certainly didn’t understand what was about to happen. Jesus rode into the city to finish the journey He began in Bethlehem. The journey to His coronation on the cross. His crowning glory was the shedding of His own innocent blood to establish a new covenant of grace for the forgiveness of our sins. His glory was to die and rise from the dead. Now, Jesus rules in glory.

The story that began in humility with the circumstances surrounding His birth, entry into the city, and His death will end in glory. As this season of Advent nears its conclusion, always remember that Advent isn’t just about remembering the humble first coming of Jesus. It’s also about eagerly anticipating His return in glory. Don’t just celebrate the baby, celebrate the King. Don’t just remember His birth but anticipate His return in power as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, triumphant over sin and evil and ushering in new creation. #FollowJesus