Notes 4 june 2023
morning service
“every whit”
Joh 13:9 Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
Joh 13:10 Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
The Saviour shows an example to the disciples on the importance of serving.
He also illustrates with the washing of the feet and his words about being clean altogether (every whit) the two great matters of being saved and being changed.
The words of being clean every whit point to a man being washed of all his sin through faith in Christ. The washing of the feet is a symbol of the need to sanctify our daily lives.
furnished
and prepared
As the room was furnished and prepared we might think of the preparations of God in the plan of salvation. All was done and decided in the mind of the Lord.
lay aside his garments
As our Saviour puts to one side his garments and then dresses as a servant, we might think of Christ laying aside his glory and taking the lowly position of our humanity. He even bows down into the depths of the cross to save us and serve us.
clean
every whit
Our Saviour speaks of a man having washed already before the washing of the feet. This washing speaks of a man who is unclean “every whit”becoming clean “every whit” through faith in Jesus Christ.
It is a remarkable work of Christ to take away all sin and make us perfectly clean in the sight of God.
washing
of the feet
The washing of the feet adds the truth of the Christian being sanctified day by day. This washing gives evidences we have a part with Christ.
We must say with Simon Peter and ask the Lord to wash us feet and hands and head.
evening service
“first love”
Rev 2:4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
In this letter from Christ to the church at Ephesus, we find this serious rebuke of them leaving their first love.
It is clearly a very serious matter which might lead to the loss of the Saviour’s presence and blessing.
the first love being Christ
The meaning of first love must include the thought of Christ as our first love. We might think of him being the first and best love of our hearts. We can add thoughts of him altogether lovely and the beloved. His nature and his works are marked by love.
our first love
for Christ
The mention of first love and first works reminds us of the love we had for him when we were first saved. This love should never fade and should always grow. We shall love him as never before when we see him as he is.
his love in us
It is worth mentioning this additional thought of his love in us. This matter of his love in us is a primary and essential part of the Christian. If we lose this love in our hearts then we are nothing.
standing without love
We see mention of standing for the truth and standing against error. As there is an element of confrontation with standing, there is a danger to stand in the flesh and without grace and love. It is also easy to overlook as standing for the truth is necessary and good. To stand for truth without love does not represent the truth.
labouring without love
We see mention of labouring and working with zeal for the gospel. It is possible to labour for the gospel for many reasons. Very often it has more to do with our name and reputation. When tested our concern for our own name is easily exposed.
You could compare standing and labouring for the gospel without love to a car motoring down the road and then the engine failing. It may coast and free wheel for a while, but will not get very far.
need to go back and find him
The way back is described in the following verse. We must remember from where we fell and repent and then do those first works with love. We must essentially go back and find Christ.
You may remember Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress who lost his certificate and had to retrace his steps and find the certificate, before moving on. We must likewise go back and find Christ if we are to move on and progress.