Bless You Who Nourish and Nurture, May 6, 2012
Well Pastor, that’s a different greeting for the bulletin. Yes it is! Whether you know it or not today is National Nurses Day. Today we honor those who take care of the sick and needy, whether in a hospital, a nursing home, hospice, or at home. Where would we be without those wonderful people who administer the medicines, the care, the help that is so needed when we are sick or infirm. True, God doesn’t want us sick to start with. But, most everyone of us has, for some reason or the other gotten sick, had an accident, or needed some type of nursing care from time to time. Wasn’t it good to have someone take care of you? Yes it was…and is! Most often a nurse is a woman and she embodies the very nature of God in compassion and sensitivity concerning those who are sick or infirm. Many times the nurse or care giver has to do things that are very humbling…both concerning themselves and probably with the person being cared for. Nonetheless, the Nurse does those things that are necessary. Many times without a lot of thanks being given. Today I want to honor our Nurses for the gift of God that they are to us and to others. Thank God for Nurses and all of those in the medical field. Amen! It is to be noted that the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts were both written by someone in the medical field; by a Doctor, i.e. Luke the Physician. Luke accompanied the Apostles and the work of the spreading of the Gospel through out the entire New Testament period. Even though He had degrees attached to his name He didn’t allow the distinction of the title to cause him to be lifted up in pride. He was used by the Holy Spirit in powerful ways because he remained humble. God will do the same thing with you. The Bible teaches us to be humble. We are not to consider ourselves greater than others. Jesus told us to love people. And if you think about it practically everyone can tell whether someone is being sincere with them. No one likes a ‘put on’. One of the ways that Jesus sought to bring home to us His requirement of humble service to each other was through the act of washing someone’s feet. In Bible times “foot-washing” was done by slaves or house-servants. It was a very demeaning thing to wash someone else’s feet. On the night before He went to be crucified the Bible tells us what Jesus said and did: “Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. 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. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:1-17). May I ask you “Whose feet have you washed lately? Your Wife? Your husband? Your children? Your neighbor? It’s what He called us to be and to do. Amen! God bless you. We love you. I love you.
Pastor Lyle, Sister Jean, and your BJWC Church Leadership